Carlos Corberan reveals 'intense' episode and confirms West Brom exodus
Carlos Corberan admitted that the last few days over Christmas have been 'intense' as he completed an emotional return to Valencia from West Bromwich Albion. Corberan had been in charge of Albion for two years and two months and left the Baggies just outside of the Championship play-off places, winning his final game in charge against Bristol City last Sunday.
On the day before Christmas Eve, though, Corberan received communication from Valencia - his boyhood club - about the possibility of replacing Ruben Baraja, who had only been sacked earlier that day. Valencia are currently in the La Liga relegation zone and four points adrift of safety before their return following the winter break when Real Madrid pay a visit.
It's been a busy Christmas period for Cheste-born Corberan and his family, who have relocated back to Valencia before he begins work with his inherited squad. Valencia have very much been his club since he was a boy, and that connection - as well as the fact that he was a goalkeeper in the club's academy as a youngster - played its part in him making the difficult decision to leave The Hawthorns.
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“It has been intense," he said at his unveiling. "It has happened fast, everything has turned out as it had to. I coach my last game with West Bromwich Albion on the same day as Valencia CF played against Alavés, and the next day they contacted me. It has made me lose track of the day of the week that we are on. These have been intense days, but at the same time, the feeling of responsibility led me to get here.
“Since the club contacted me, my communication has been with the president and Corona. They are the people who have conveyed the project to me. I am aware of the current difficulty, but also of the history that we represent. Being here and helping Valencia CF is my absolute responsibility.
“Since I have been a coach, each challenge has always been the most important -and it must be faced in that way. From the beginning I have been part of exciting, difficult challenges, and this is the next one I have ahead of me. I am going to give it my best.
“I hope to recover the excitement of those fans who have lost that. Since I was little I grew up in a house where the Valencia CF badge was on the stove in the living room. I am a Valencianista and it is a passion that I have inherited -and a feeling that when one has the possibility of coming here, gives the excitement about turning things around."
Corberan also confirmed that goalkeeping coach Marcos Abad, first-team coaches Jorge Alarcon and Martin Drury and fitness guru Rafael Aranda have all followed him to the Mestalla. With Damia Abella remaining at Albion, Corberan has also employed Josep Alcacer to join his team.
"I will add people who have shown me their value in previous experiences," he added. "Marcos Abad as goalkeeping coach, Jorge Alarcon as assistant coach, Josep Alcacer as assistant coach, Martin Drury as assistant coach with the focus on individual improvement, Rafael Aranda as fitness coach and Angel de las Heras as assistant on the pitch. That is the group that was working with me and that can complement very well the value that was already at the club.”
