Former PSV Eindhoven coach Ronald Koeman signed a two-and-a-half year deal with Valencia on Friday, making him the La Liga side’s fourth coach in three years. Each of Koeman’s predecessors, Quique Sanchez Flores, Antonio Lopez and Claudio Ranieri were all fired by a club looking to regain to the form it enjoyed in 2001 and 2002 under Rafael Benitez.
Valencia President Juan Soler had said he wanted to replace Sanchez Flores, who was fired on Monday, with “an internationally recognized” coach. PSV’s Koeman, a former Barcelona player, apparently fits that bill. In his eight-year career as a head coach, Koeman has managed Vitesse, Ajax and PSV of the Dutch first division and Benfica of Portugal. Koeman also served as an assistant to Johan Cruyff at Barcelona. “We are convinced we will be in very good hands,” Soler said. “[Koeman] knows what Valencia’s objectives are, he knows the squad and he will bring us the success we want.”
The Dutchman inherits a team that’s severely low on confidence. Valencia lost, 3-0, away to Sevilla last Sunday (after which Sanchez Flores was sacked) and was then destroyed at home, 5-1, by Real Madrid on Wednesday. Nevertheless, the club is just seven points adrift of league leader Real, sitting sixth in the table. Koeman’s first match in charge will be Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Rosenborg.