Vázquez vows Valencia can rise by 2027 if relegation is escaped
On the lush green of Mestalla, Braulio Vázquez stood for the first time in thirteen years since ending his initial spell, now back as Valencia CF’s sporting director. He spoke of a single‑match plan: lift the club out of the relegation zone with the squad already at his disposal.
Three decisive moves
Vázquez outlined three core decisions on La Grada of Radio Esport. First, the club will not waste its only free‑transfer slot on a free agent in January. Second, he will wait for the arrivals of César Tárrega and Mouctar Diakhaby. Third, he intends to retain Javier Aguirre until the team secures promotion.
"We only have one free slot and I think we can get more from the performance increase of the players we have," Vázquez summed up, stressing internal development over external signings.
Valencia sit penultimate with four points after seven rounds, a stark reminder of the task ahead. When the name Chris Smalling was floated, Vázquez replied that free agents “don’t convince me because it is hard to be without group competition for so long.” He recalled a similar hesitation with Adrián López at Osasuna, saying, "I’m a bit scared to bring a good player who is not in shape."
Valencia reshapes squad in break under Aguirre before Racing clash
The market, he added, must be studied carefully, especially as two injured centre‑backs need to return to action. Vázquez warned that bringing in a player who has not trained with a squad for an extended period carries risk.
Aguirre’s contract and future outlook
Head coach Javier Aguirre signed a deal until June with an additional season at the club’s disposal, according to the official statement. Vázquez placed no deadline on the coach, noting, "The timing doesn’t matter. He can continue meeting objectives or not. We go step by step." He also mentioned that Aguirre did not request any excessive financial terms in a club that was just balanced.
Aguirre often lines his side up with five or four at the back and demands solidity, believing the current unit performs below its potential. When asked about European competition, he cut the question short: "Not this year. People are fed up hearing about Europe while we are down. We’ll get out of the bottom first." He added that next year, once the squad is profiled, he will set a clear objective, joking that any January “revolution” must at least avoid “involution.”
In the dressing room, Vázquez relies on Guido Rodríguez, whom he calls “the one who leads the group,” and on José Gayà. He urges caution with younger prospects Mayol, Otorbi and Aimar, and deliberately stays out of the renewal discussion for Jesús Vázquez, citing a conflict of interest. He also revealed that his son received an offer from a LaLiga side, which the club flatly refused, prompting a contract renewal three weeks ago.