Former Leeds United man backed as relegation concerns continue
A former Leeds United man is involved in a relegation battle in Spanish football’s top flight.
Former Leeds United assistant manager Carlos Corberan has been backed once again as he struggles to build momentum at Valencia.
The 42-year-old spent time in the La Liga club’s youth setup and ‘B’ team during his playing career and returned to take charge of first-team affairs in December last year. A successful first six months saw Corberan guide Valencia out of the relegation zone and they secured a mid-table finish by the time the season came to a close.
After securing several signings during the summer transfer window that included the loan addition of Leeds winger Largie Ramazani, there were high hopes Corberan’s side could enjoy a much-improved campaign. Despite securing wins against Athletic Bilbao and Getafe, Valencia are sitting in the relegation zone once again and have not claimed a win in their last seven league games.
However, after securing a draw with Real Betis in their last game before the November international break, only an inferior goal difference is preventing Corberan’s side from escaping the bottom three - and forward Lucas Beltran has leapt to the defence of the former Leeds man as they prepare to return to action with a home game against Valencia this weekend.
He told the club website: “We’re doing well, very united, with those good feelings after the match against Real Betis. We have a great dressing room, a very healthy one. We’re all pulling in the same direction. I don’t tend to look at social media or listen to things, I know some things are being said… but in the world of football, they always focus on the negative or try to find something negative.
“There’s none of that here. We come here every day happy, grateful to be here, and we give our best to keep improving and take Valencia CF where it deserves to be, which is as high as possible. There’s talk that we’re in a situation where we want the coach sacked, and that’s unthinkable. As a person or a player, it would never occur to me to do something like that.”
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