Valencia name Javier Aguirre as new head coach
The short version
- Javier Aguirre, 67, was named Valencia head coach on a deal through season's end, with a one-year club option.
- He led co-hosts Mexico to the 2026 World Cup round of 16, losing to England, in his third stint with the national team.
- Valencia are second-bottom in La Liga with four points from seven games after sacking Carlos Corberan and CEO Ron Gourlay.
- Aguirre previously coached Real Mallorca, Osasuna, Atletico Madrid, Leganes, Espanyol and Real Zaragoza, plus Japan and Egypt.
The 67-year-old Mexican, who guided Mexico to the 2026 World Cup round of 16, has agreed a deal running through the end of the season with an option for a further year.
Valencia have appointed Javier Aguirre as their new head coach, the Spanish club confirmed on Wednesday. The 67-year-old Mexican takes charge on a contract that runs through the remainder of the season, and Valencia hold an option to keep him for an additional year.
Aguirre arrives after leading co-hosts Mexico to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup, where England knocked them out. That tournament marked his third period at the helm of the Mexican national side. He has also managed the national teams of Japan and Egypt.
His most recent job in Spain came at Real Mallorca, a stint that ended in 2024 after he guided the club to its first Copa del Rey final in 21 years. Earlier in his career he earned a surprise Champions League berth for Osasuna with a fourth-place La Liga finish in 2006, then moved on to Atletico Madrid. Leganes, Espanyol and Real Zaragoza are among his other Spanish clubs.
Valencia sit second from bottom in La Liga with four points from seven matches this season. The club dismissed coach Carlos Corberan and CEO Ron Gourlay earlier this month. Owned by Peter Lim, the six-time Spanish champions — most recently in 2004 under Rafael Benitez — have not placed higher than ninth since the 2018/19 campaign, and supporters have staged strong protests against Lim and his son Kiat, who has served as president since March 2025.
