La Liga’s strugglers Valencia have named Carlos Corberan, the manager of West Bromwich Albion, as their next head coach.

Valencia paid a release clause in the 41-year-old Spaniard’s contract, estimated to be worth £3-4 million, to allow him to leave Championship side Albion.

Corberan has signed a contract with the Spanish club till the conclusion of the 2026-27 season. The club fired head coach Ruben Baraja on Monday after only two victories in 17 league games this season.

Albion released a statement expressing thanks and best wishes to Corberan on his departure.

Coaches Chris Brunt, Damia Abella, and Boaz Myhill will assume command of the Baggies while they look for a new coach.

Following Valencia’s announcement of his employment, Corberan stated on social media that leaving Albion was “the hardest decision of my life”.

“There will always be a place in my heart for this special club and I hope one day I can return to thank you all for your incredible support,” added the soccer star.

Corberan, a former Huddersfield Town manager, was recruited by the Baggies in October 2022, guiding them to a ninth-place finish in his first season and fifth last season before losing to Southampton in the play-off semi-finals.

Despite claiming a 30% reduction in his playing budget, he has led Albion to seventh position in the Championship standings this season, just outside the play-off places in terms of goals scored.

Corberan was associated with the recent managerial position at Premier League club Southampton, however the Saints picked Ivan Juric to replace the ousted Russell Martin.

Valencia, Corberan’s local club, is four points from safety and ranked second-bottom in La Liga.

In Baraja’s farewell game as manager, they drew 2-2 with Alaves on Sunday, moving them off the bottom of the table on goal difference.

Their next league game is against defending champions Real Madrid on January 3.

Analysis by BBC Radio WM’s Steve Hermon

West Bromwich Albion waited until Christmas Eve to announce that Carlos Corberan would be departing to take over at Valencia.

Santa Claus was already into his round when the announcement arrived at precisely 20 minutes to midnight.

But where does this leave the club? And their previous head coach.

Returning to Spain to coach Valencia may be risky for the 41-year-old Corberan.

Simply ask one of his predecessors in the position, Gary Neville!

The men from the Mestalla are in the relegation zone, have faced financial troubles, and just one manager has survived more than two years in command since current Aston Villa manager Unai Emery left in 2012.

But then there’s Albion’s financial condition.

Corberan’s hands have been tied for the most of his 26-month tenure.

He was appointed as Steve Bruce’s replacement in October 2022, while chairman Guochuan Lai remained nominally in charge, but only in name, with no presence or financial backing. Nonetheless, Corberan led a club that advanced from the relegation zone to only lose out on a 2022-23 Championship play-off spot.

The next season, he finished in the top six, losing in the semi-finals to Southampton, with whom he was again connected last week – once again, his recruiting team had no money to spend.

But his coaching abilities shone through as he transformed cast-offs like Cedric Kipre and Alex Mowatt into key players of his starting lineup, something he has done again this season with Karlan Grant.

Despite American billionaire Shilen Patel’s February purchase, the club’s financial constraints persist. Only last week was it reported that the reduced pay budget from the summer was as much as 30%, resulting in the departure of numerous players.

It’s a short-term setback for the Baggies, especially given the timing, with three games in six days over the holidays. However, it may be a move that benefits all parties.

Corberan will finally be able to test himself at the top tier of an elite league, he will be able to relocate closer to his family, and the vociferous minority of Albion supporters who have become weary of his game will be able to witness something new.

However, this comes with a warning to ‘be cautious what you wish for’ since the job he has done in stabilising the club on the pitch at a period of complete chaos cannot be overstated, and they are undoubtedly in a better place than they were two years ago.

He should depart with the best wishes of the majority of Baggies fans, as well as those he worked with on the training field, since, in addition to being a great coach, he is also a good person.

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