BARCELONA:
Ruben Baraja was a key figure in Valencia‘s golden era of success in the early 2000s, but now his only job is to save the club from a potentially devastating relegation.
The former midfielder, instrumental as Los Che landed league titles in 2002 and 2004, as well as the 2004 UEFA Cup, was appointed as coach on Tuesday.
Valencia travel to face Getafe on Monday, a team with whom they have developed a bitter modern rivalry, and it will be a relegation dogfight with both teams residing in the drop zone.
Getafe are 19th, one point and one place behind Valencia, who have desperately turned to a former great to drag them out of a dire situation which has worsened significantly since the World Cup.
Los Che have not won a league game since early November, with six defeats in their past seven matches – just one point gained from a possible 21.
Even that singular win against Real Betis was their only victory in 13 top flight games, swelling fears Valencia could be relegated for the first time since 1986 and only the second time in their history.
Singaporean businessman Peter Lim took over the club in 2014 and despite being greeted as a potential saviour at the time has become a resented figure among supporters.
Lim has appointed 16 coaches since taking charge, including former Manchester United defender Gary Neville in a particularly disastrous spell, and club staff member Voro on six occasions.
The most recent of those was earlier in February, when Valencia and Gennaro Gattuso parted ways, with Voro stepping in to fill the gap once again.
However three further defeats and a huge protest at Mestalla last weekend during their 2-1 defeat by Athletic Bilbao appeared to change Lim’s mind.
Thousands of fans refused to enter the stadium until the 19th minute – the club was founded in 1919 – and chanted outside for Lim to leave.
Baraja’s arrival may offer some comfort in nostalgia, as well as his deep knowledge of the club, but his coaching track record hardly gives grounds for confidence.
He did not convince in short spells at Elche, Rayo Vallecano, Sporting Gijon, Tenerife and Zaragoza.
“Coaching Valencia is my life’s dream,” said Baraja at his presentation on Wednesday.
“The biggest milestone I have in my head is coaching Valencia, and more so in a difficult situation like at present.
“It’s a happy day and returning home is a great honour, despite the moment in which I come back.”
Baraja said his only request was that Carlos Marchena came with him – the former Valencia defender is Baraja’s assistant coach.
The 47-year-old believes he must help the team change its mindset.
“The team has entered into an uncontrollable negative dynamic,” explained Baraja.
“We are going to try and do a lot of things right, to win. We’ll propose a balance, we want to be a team that knows how to read the game.
“We cannot just be one thing. We have to know how to defend, be organised, Counter well, and when we have the ball, know how to manage the clock, and generate chances. A complete team.
“This is not magic. We have to work hard on this and we have to transmit to the players that we are at Valencia, and there is a demand (on them) and values that have to be non-negotiable.”
Starting against a Getafe side also fighting for their life is a baptism of fire for Baraja, but at least he knows better than anyone what is on the line.
