Last Update: February 14, 2023, 22:35 IST
Valencia has appointed former midfielder Ruben Barza as its head coach, the relegation-threatened La Liga club announced on Tuesday.
Baraja made 364 appearances for Valencia between 2000–2010, winning La Liga twice as well as the UEFA Cup, Copa del Rey and UEFA Super Cup. He also coached the club’s youth team after his retirement.
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“(Baraja) knows the folly of the club and returns home as a coach to contribute with his professionalism and commitment after making his legend in the 2000s,” Valencia said in a statement.
The former Spain international has coached several teams in the Spanish second division including Elche, Rayo Vallecano and Tenerife. He recently coached Real Zaragoza in 2020.
Another former Valencia player, Carlos Marchena, will be part of Barja’s coaching setup.
Barza replaces Gennaro Gattuso, who parted ways with the club last month.
Since Gattuso’s departure, Valencia have lost three straight league matches, leaving them 18th in the La Liga standings with 20 points from 21 games, one point from safety.
Baraja’s first game in charge will be a league game at fellow strugglers Getafe on Monday.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)