'Even when things sometimes didn't work out' - Former West Brom boss reacts to dismissal

Former Albion boss Carlos Corberan has praised Valencia fans for their ‘passion and demand’ when things were tough after he was sacked by the club.

The Spaniard was dismissed by his hometown club 21 months after his infamous departure from The Hawthorns late on Christmas Eve 2024.

He leaves the Mestalla outfit rock-bottom of La Liga and winless after four defeats from five to start the new season. Corberan’s last game in charge was Friday night’s late 1-0 defeat at Sevilla before his axing was confirmed on Sunday.

Corberan was joined out the door by Valencia’s football CEO Ron Gourlay, who was previously chief executive at The Hawthorns.

The Spaniard led Albion to a play-off finish in the Championship in 2023/24 and Valencia finished 12th and ninth in the two seasons with Corberan at the helm. But a poor start to this season included a 5-0 home thumping by Barcelona.

“Heartfelt thanks,” Corberan wrote. “I have only words of gratitude for everything I have experienced in these 629 days in front of Valencia CF. This is not just any goodbye. Saying goodbye to a story and a feeling.

“First of all, I want to thank the greatest heritage that this club has and will always have, its fans. They've always been by our side and, even though things sometimes didn't work out, their demand forced us to overcome ourselves to be better every day. Your passion, demand and feeling is something I will never forget.

“I’d also like to highlight the entire roster, all the players I’ve had the privilege to coach. Thank you for your effort, professionalism and daily work. We have lived together difficult times, but I have always valued your desire to improve and defend the coat of Valencia.”

Corberan, the former Leeds coach and Huddersfield boss, spent more than two years at The Hawthorns and was at the helm during the turbulent final days of the Guochuan Lai ownership and the early months of Shilen Patel’s Bilkul reign.

His Christmas Eve departure for Valencia two years ago was nightmare timing for Albion, who struggled to recover with subsequent appointments of Tony Mowbray, Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay.

Gourlay, formerly of Chelsea and Reading, was chief executive at Albion between February 2022 and June 2023.

“Thanks too all the club employees who made my job much easier since day one,” Corberan continued. “Thanks to all those anonymous people who are not on the front lines, but without them our work would not progress.

“And lastly, thank you to the property, headed by its president Kiat Lim, for trusting me with this project and giving me the opportunity to train my land's team.

“After 72 games headed, I'm keeping all the good times lived. I have always tried to give my best and I can only wish Valencia CF the best of luck both in the present and in the future. My heart will always be in this club. Valencia will always be in my life.”