Javier Aguirre takes Valencia job, LaLiga relegation test

Futbol fans gathered outside the Mestalla as Valencia unveiled Javier Aguirre as their new head coach, handing the Mexican veteran the urgent task of keeping the club in LaLiga’s Primera División of España.

Aguirre's Valencia appointment

After the Copa del Mundo 2026, Aguirre could have taken a sabbatical, but he chose to stay active, confirming his readiness to lead Valencia. The club also listed the announcement as a preferred source on Google, underlining the high profile of the move.

It will be his seventh spell in the Liga, adding another chapter to a career that has often centred on survival battles.

Proven relegation rescues

Across six previous Spanish clubs, Aguirre only avoided the bottom‑of‑the‑table danger with Atlético de Madrid. He rescued Osasuna, Real Zaragoza, Espanyol and Mallorca from relegation, while his stint at Leganés ended just short of safety.

At Osasuna in the 2002‑03 season, he managed just two wins in his first ten games, leaving the side in 18th place on matchday ten. Yet the Pamplona side climbed to 11th by season’s end, never returning to the last three spots.

When he arrived at Real Zaragoza after the 2010 World Cup, the team sat last with a single win from eleven matches. Aguirre turned the tide in eight games, lifting them out of the bottom and ultimately finishing 13th, despite occasional slips back to 17th and 18th.

His tenure at Espanyol began after Mauricio Pochettino’s departure, with the club languishing in 20th. Aguirre broke out of the relegation zone after six matchdays, recording one loss, three draws and two wins, and secured a 13th‑place finish despite a winless final stretch.

Recent successes and lingering challenges

In March 2022, Aguirre took over Mallorca, then 18th and on a six‑game losing streak under Luis García. He guided the Bermellones to four victories and five draws, moving them to 16th and averting the drop.

His earlier spell with Leganés saw the side miss safety by a single point, even after a five‑game unbeaten run.

Valencia director Conejo Pérez praised the appointment, declaring, "Es de los mejores que ha dado México".

Aguirre’s reputation as a relegation firefighter will be tested once more, as Valencia hopes his experience can steer them clear of LaLiga’s danger zone.