Valencia, Spain — The Valencia football club made the decision to terminate head coach Rubén Baraja on Monday after their recent performance in La Liga left them entrenched in the relegation zone. This latest setback has also triggered renewed protests against the club’s owner, Peter Lim from Singapore.

The announcement came after a disappointing 2-2 draw at home against Alaves on Sunday, where Valencia needed a last-minute equalizer to avoid a loss. This result has placed the team in a precarious position, sitting second to last in the league standings.

The draw further ignited discontent among the fanbase, who have persistently criticized Lim’s management, arguing that he treats the club merely as a business venture rather than a community asset.

Baraja, who is a former player for Valencia, had taken the reins as the head coach earlier in 2023, but the club has yet to confirm his successor. In their official statement, Valencia expressed gratitude towards Baraja, acknowledging his passion and commitment throughout his time in charge. They also noted that the results necessitated a tough choice, indicating the difficulty of the decision.

Looking ahead, Valencia is set to face Real Madrid in their next league match at home on January 3, a game that had been rescheduled from October due to severe flooding that struck the region. Currently, Valencia has not secured a victory in their past four league matches, further heightening the urgency for change within the club.