Valencia CF’s Shift in Sporting Management: A New Dawn

Valencia CF is embarking on a transformative journey in its sports management. Recently, the club, under Meriton’s leadership, made the decision to part ways with Miguel Ángel Corona, who previously held the position of sporting director. This shift aims to establish a new management framework while introducing fresh faces into the organization. Notably, Meriton is attempting to reconstruct a pathway they previously dismantled during the presidencies of Anil Murthy and LayHoon Chan.

Ron Gourlay, the club’s CEO, has identified that the current sporting structure of Valencia does not align with the standards of top-tier clubs. Over the years, the infrastructure has significantly diminished in terms of resources. Following extensive budget cuts throughout the club, the technical area has suffered severely, leading to a glaring absence of in-house experts in regions such as Europe and South America. The focus on scouting emerging talent from the Valencia Community has proven inadequate and has contributed to the club’s challenges.

This has been a primary issue for the club for over five years, characterized by a passive approach rather than proactive initiatives. The reliance on offers from agents and intermediaries has become a precarious norm, stemming from a diminished confidence in their own resources. This decline can be traced back to the tenure of César Sánchez, who required a technical secretary like Miguel Ángel Corona to support him, later bringing in Carmelo del Pozo for further assistance.

Successful football clubs operate with strong sporting departments capable of identifying talent or specific players that meet immediate needs. It has taken Ron Gourlay’s leadership for Meriton to recognize the necessity of restoring a logical management system that they themselves previously abandoned. The focus now is on strengthening operations rather than further diminishing resources.

For years, Valencia has been characterized by disinvestment. However, the current objective is to completely overhaul the sporting structure, introducing new personnel and profiles to enhance internal control and scouting efforts—elements that have been lacking due to previous club philosophies.

When Meriton took over, there was an investment in a team comprising Rufete, Ayala, and Salvans, who effectively managed both the national and international markets. Some of these individuals garnered recognition abroad, adding prestige to the club during negotiations. However, turmoil ensued within a year when Nuno sought to take on an all-encompassing managerial role, leading to a crisis that persisted for three years.

The arrival of Mateu Alemany marked a turning point, and alongside Pablo Longoria, the club began to see positive sporting results again. Yet, as is typical with Valencia, cycles of success and failure have re-emerged, culminating in the current situation.

At present, under Gourlay’s leadership, this initiative remains a declaration of intent, awaiting transformation into a tangible reality. Prior to the upcoming shareholders’ meeting, President Kiat Lim’s communication notably omits any references to a ‘sporting project’, suggesting a need for clarity and direction moving forward.