Former Leeds United assistant coach Carlos Corberan is under fire at Valencia as his injury-ravaged squad continue to toil in La Liga.
There is a distinct Leeds United connection with Valencia, which begins with the 2002 Champions League semi-final, and lives on through Carlos Corberan.
Corberan was an assistant coach at Leeds during the Marcelo Bielsa era, and was one of the leading candidates to replace former head coach Jesse Marsch in 2023.
The former West Brom manager took charge of Valencia in 2024 and deepened the connection with Leeds by bringing in winger Largie Ramazani on a season-long loan deal in the summer transfer window.
However, with Valencia struggling in La Liga, one of Corberan’s players has been forced to defend the former Leeds man despite explaining why the Spanish giants are “screwed” this season.
Carlos Corberan ahead of Valencia's game against Real Madrid.
Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images
Valencia star defends under-fire manager Carlos Corberan
With Ramazani currently ruled out through injury, Valencia sit 18th in the table, having lost four of their five games, with just two wins all season.
Valencia’s progress this season has been disrupted by a string of injuries; however, the pressure is beginning to build on Corberan as Los Ches look to pull away from the relegation zone.
Now, speaking to Spanish publication Marca, one of Valencia’s players has stated that the players remain behind Corberan, despite the poor run of form.
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“We’re screwed, because the results aren’t coming and that’s not what we want to happen,” defender Jose Copete said. “[We are] very strong and eager to turn the situation around.”
He added: “The team is behind the manager, we’re all united and really looking forward to Sunday so we can win the game, which is what we all want.”
Valencia face a crucial fixture against Real Betis in their next game which could determine Corberan’s fate on the verge of the international break.
Valencia CF winger Largie Ramazani
Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Leeds United loanee Largie Ramazani nearing first-team return
Although he will not be back in time for the game against Betis, Diario AS reports that on-loan winger Ramazani could soon offer Corberan some respite in his injury crisis.
Ramazani has a recall clause in his contract which could see him return to Leeds in January. He last played in Valencia’s defeat against Girona on the fourth of October. But he could be fit to make his return after the next international break.
Games missed by Largie Ramazani:
Deportivo Alaves 0-0 Valencia
Valencia 0-2 Villarreal
UD Maracena 0-5 Valencia (Copa Del Rey)
Real Madrid 4-0 Valencia
The report states: “Corberán will not be able to recover any of the injured players who have missed the last few games.
“Ramazani is the closest to returning to the squad, although everything indicates that he will do so after the international break to play in the derby against Levante.
“The Belgian winger is already working with the ball, but is still training separately from his teammates.”