Koeman’s Exit Pleases Valencia Faithful

Lang Hunter

Well, finally, the Valencia Nightmare has ended. Hurrah!!

A woeful season could still get worse, as Valencia still teeter on the brink of the relegation zone, but at least the Valencia board finally saw sense, and booted the ineffective and hugely disliked Ronald Koeman into touch.

A season which promised so much, but turned to farce - not even a cup win could stem the flow of fans voting with their feet and staying away from the Mestalla in droves. Hardly surprising, when the team’s form has been quite shocking.

So, Ronald goes, but with regret? Not so – he’s allegedly quoted as saying that he felt he had done a ‘sterling’ job with winning ‘such an important cup’ with not a mention of their league position. A board of untrustworthy men, who had lied to him, if he was not manager next season. It goes on, and on, and on. I wouldn’t be too upset if I was Koeman either, he reportedly walked with a €10 million pay-off….

Before delving into the stats, what about the man?

Well, Ronald Koeman, the player, was a fantastic defender, and one of the world’s best dead ball experts. The Dutchman played for Ajax and PSV before signing for Barcelona in 1989, where he stayed until 1995. In 191 appearances for Barca, he scored a staggering 67 goals. He returned to Holland in ’95 to finish his playing career with Feyenoord.

Koeman won 78 caps for Holland (scoring 14 goals) whom he helped to win the Euro Championships in 1988.

Come 1998, at the end of his playing days, Koeman was part of the Dutch international set up, before re-joining Barcelona as assistant coach. He then returned once more to Holland, to manage Ajax, from 2001-2005. During this time, he won the Dutch double in his first season, and then backed that up with the League crown in 03-04. In 2005, he took over the reigns at Portuguese giants Benfica. He only lasted one season, winning the Portuguese Super Cup. The following season, Ronald moved to PSV, to succeed Guus Hiddink as manager. They went on to win the league that season (on the final day, on goal difference). Then came the Valencia job.

So, where did it all go wrong? Hee, well, in reality, that happened the minute Ronald Koeman walked in the door to the Mestalla, and basically ‘sacked’ the clubs 3 longest serving players – all current Spanish Internationals to boot. Santiago Canizares, Miguel Angel Angulo and David Albelda (the club Captain fer crissakes!!) were all told they had no part to play in the future of Valencia under RK.

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I find it particularly interesting that the day after the installation of the clubs new stand-in manager, ex –Valencia player and member of the club’s staff, Salvador Gonzalez Marco (AKA Voro), those same 3 were finally back training with the 1st team, 5 months after their ill-fated clash with Koeman. Moving swiftly on to last Sunday’s match, Voro’s first in charge, Canizares starts the game in goal, and both Angulo and Albelda start on the bench (with Angulo getting on for the last 5 minutes of the game). The side wins 3-0. Enough said.

When Ronald Koeman’s reign began, Valencia were in 4th position in the league, 4 points adrift of leaders, Real Madrid. When he left, on the back of a 5-1 drubbing by Athletic Bilbao, they were 2 points off the relegation zone, in 15th position.

In those ill-fated months the side’s league form was awful: In 22 matches, they won just 4 games, drew 6 and lost 12, scoring only 19 goals and conceding 35. There were a fair few maulings, including the 5-1 home defeat at the hands of Madrid, along with further home defeats (all 3-0) against Athletic Bilbao, Barca and Mallorca. More defeats against teams they really should have beaten compounded a dismal home record. Away from home, Valencia faired no better, although a 3-2 away win at Real Madrid the weekend after they had reached the Copa del Rey final was more a blip than a resurging side.

The saving grace, for both club and manager, was without a doubt their cup run. It would be unfair to say Valencia were a different side in the cup competition, they merely stumbled into the semi’s, but once they came up against Barcelona, you could see the determination in the players to win this tournament, not for the manager, but for themselves and the fans. And win they did. A well fought semi-final second leg at the Mestalla saw them defeat Barca 3-2 (4-3 on aggregate) to reach the final, where they dispatched Getafe 3-1, after a whirlwind start which saw Valencia lead within 11 minutes of the kick off.

Would it make a difference to Koeman’s position as manager? Not likely. Reports suggest that not one of the club directors shook hands with him as the team was presented the trophy. Just four days later, Valencia were hammered ‘up north’ in Bilbao, as their quest for league survival re-started. The manner of the 5-1 defeat has brought suggestions from some areas of the press in Spain that this result was more a ‘player statement’ as it was an indication of the team’s actual ability. In any case, the decision had been made, and Mr Koeman was on his way the following day.

So, a new era begins. First and foremost, obviously, Valencia need to retain their La Liga status. With four games to go, it’s entirely in their own hands. Last weekends 3-0 win at home to Osasuna helped them leapfrog their rivals to 6th from bottom. In reality, there is one spot up for grabs. Levante were sadly relegated last weekend, Murcia are 2nd bottom on 30 points, with a gap of 8 points to make up in 4 games. That leaves Real Zaragoza on 38, Recreativo and Osasuna on 40, Valencia, Valladolid (who keep winning) and amazingly Getafe (who seem to be sliding precariously) on 42 points, and Real Betis, who should be safe on 44.

Valencia have a toughie this weekend - away to Barca. That could be an interesting match. A defeat could bring on a real 6 pointer the following weekend, at the Mestalla, when they host Real Zaragoza. Week 37 sees Valencia travel across town to face the already relegated Levante, and then finish up the season with a home tie against Atletico Madrid on May 18th.

A win this weekend against Barca could see Los Che near enough safe, especially as the main contender for the final drop spot come to town the following weekend. With safety brings its rewards. They have a UEFA Cup spot next season due to their cup win, and if they stay up, which they should, don’t be surprised to see Valencia up there for the La Liga title.

As for Ronald Koeman, what next? I’m sure he’ll be ready to fill a hot seat come June……..

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