Xavi Valero has returned to Liverpool as the club's new head of goalkeeping after a seven-year spell at West Ham - but his playing career was not so successful
West Ham goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero
Goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero has rejoined Liverpool after leaving West Ham
(Image: Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)
Liverpool's newly-returned goalkeeping coach was once labelled as Wrexham's worst-ever keeper. Xavi Valero rejoined the Reds on Wednesday as the club's new head of goalkeeper coaching following a seven-year stint at West Ham.
The Spaniard has built an impressive coaching career since first arriving at Liverpool under Rafael Benitez in 2007. The 52-year-old later accompanied his fellow countryman to Inter Milan, Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid, before eventually linking up with the Hammers in the summer of 2018.
However, Valero's playing career was less illustrious, starting with Spanish teams like Castellon and Lagrones in the late-1990s and early-2000s. After spells in the Spanish Segunda Division and Segunda Division B, he made his way to the UK in January 2005.
Valero's transfer to Wrexham occurred after the club's first-choice goalkeeper, Andy Dibble, sustained a thigh injury, leaving them without a senior shot-stopper. Denis Smith, Wrexham's manager at the time, decided to sign Valero on a one-month contract, despite only having seen video footage of him previously.
His tenure with the Red Dragons was brief after conceding nine goals in three appearances in League One and making several blunders along the way. Valero was substituted by Smith at half-time during his final match against Chesterfield after the keeper's teammates expressed their discomfort playing with him.
Former Wrexham coach Kevin Russell previously disclosed he had significant doubts about the signing before it was even finalised.
Xavi Valero at Liverpool with Rafa Benitez
Xavi Valero first arrived at Liverpool under Rafa Benitez
(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Speaking to the Fearless in Devotion podcast, he said: "We got a video sent through of him. We were watching it with Denis, and there was a big crowd. Denis said, 'He looks alright, I think I might sign him.' I said, 'That might not even be him. I'm not comfortable signing him like that.'".
"We played Chesterfield away, and it's got be the worst f***ing 45 minutes I've ever had in terms of a goalkeeping experience. Denis goes, 'I'm f***ing taking him off.' I said, 'Take him off? I wanted to get him off after the first ten minutes.'". Russell added: "I say that, but what a coaching career that boy has had."
Valero's return to Liverpool comes following the exits of Fabian Otte and Claudio Taffarel from the Reds' goalkeeping team. His appointment was announced at the same time as Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who steps in as Arne Slot's assistant coach after John Heitinga left to become the new Ajax manager this summer.
Former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres
Former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres praised Valero for improving his game
(Image: Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)
Despite his playing career, Valero's aptitude for coaching is evident and extends beyond just working with goalkeepers. He was once lauded by ex-Liverpool forward Fernando Torres for aiding in improving his finishing skills.
Speaking during an interview in 2008, Torres said: "We've a Spanish goalkeeping coach and he has been a genius at telling me every week exactly what kind of task lies in front of me in the following match.
"Nobody has ever worked with me like this before. It's outstanding. Basically, I know days before the next game exactly the best way to finish a chance against the keeper I'm about to face.
"Xavi Valero tells me precisely what each keeper tends to do – stay big, go down early, if they have a preferred side they try to push you to. It's vital information. I've refined the way I take chances as a result."