How Have Valencia Fallen So Far?

Valencia are one of the most successful teams in Spanish football. Having been founded in 1919, Los Ches has created a rich history which boasts six La Liga titles, eight Copa del Rey wins, two UEFA Super Cups, a Supercopa de Espana and a European Cup Winners Cup.

The club have also produced footballing greats such as the likes of David Silva, David Villa, Juan Mata and Isco.

🏆 Llegó 𝗟𝗔 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗔.

🧡🔙🦇 #TalDíaComoHoy en 2002, el @valenciacf se proclamaba CAMPEÓN de #LALIGAEASPORTS tras vencer en La Rosaleda.#LALIGAHistory pic.twitter.com/kvToC89mYX
— LALIGA (@LaLiga) May 5, 2024

With all this said it would be reasonable to assume that Valencia are performing relatively well in the present day.

However, the former La Liga champions find themselves flirting with relegation and with little to no money to spend.

The fall of Valencia

The majority of issues regarding the club start at the top. Having had previous financial trouble, the arrival of Singaporean businessman Peter Liv restored faith in a fanbase which had become uneasy over the club's future.

Having won a heavily contested battle to gain ownership of the club in 2014. Peter Lim was welcomed with open arms by the Valencia supporters.

“Never in the history of football had anybody had a welcome like Peter Lim, nobody.” a former Valencia executive told The Athletic. “Forty-thousand people waiting for him. Everybody acclaiming him.”

However, the optimism among the Valencia faithful was short lived. Lim would make actions that were unusual in the footballing world, constantly using his relationship with agent Jorge Mendes throughout his time at the club.

Having finished 8th in the previous season, Lim’s first major decision in charge was to sack manager Juan Antonio Pizzi and replace him with Mendes’ client, Nuno Espírito Santo.

He would also make signings such as Andre Gomes and Rodrigo, who despite their quality were brought in as a way for Lim and Mendes to benefit financially. Lim’s company Meriton owned 100% of the players’ economic rights and both players were being represented by Mendes.

A move with ambitions to move the players on for financial gain rather than help Valencia return to their past glory.

#limout

RT because it's high time more people knew about what is possibly the worst run board of all time, in one of the most beautiful and historic clubs in Spain

Peter Lim is RUINING Valencia, and I'll never forget seeing Dani cry because of the circumstances of his exit pic.twitter.com/avGWE2SLsx
— La Liga Systems (@janufooty) January 30, 2023

Espírito Santo would last 16 months in charge of Los Ches, leading the club to a 4th placed finish in 2014/15 but a poor start to the 2015/16 campaign in both the UEFA Champions League and La Liga would see the Portuguese coach part ways with Valencia.

Lim’s next managerial appointment seemed to raise more eyebrows than his first as Valencia would appoint Manchester United legend Gary Neville as manager in December 2025.

Neville had no previous managerial experience and did not speak Spanish but was given the position thanks to his close relationship with Lim - who purchased a 50% share in Salford City from Neville that same year.

Neville would be sacked by Valencia just three months later having left the club in 14th position and six points above the relegation zone.

ON THIS DAY: In 2016, Gary Neville was sacked as Valencia manager after spending four months with the club:

◉ 28 games
◉ 11 defeats
◉ 10 wins
◉ 7 draws

A 35% win percentage. 😳 pic.twitter.com/568uQjrsAa
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 30, 2022

Valencia have had 12 permanent managers in 11 years under Lim’s ownership, with the clubs only successful tenure being back-to-back 4th placed finishes and a Copa del Rey victory in 2019, both under the management of Marcelino.

Marcelino would depart from the club just months after the Copa del Rey victory due to conflict with Lim over transfer policy.

Protest from supporters

The club's continuous decline has seen protests become ever present on match days with fan group Libertad VCF stating to the Athletic that their goal is to mobilise the supporters. “It’s thanks to them the supporters that football clubs have life. We have to recover Valencia Club De Futbol.”

Peter Lim has chosen to sack Marcelino, who has been in charge at Valencia since May 2017. 🦇

2015/16: 12th
2016/17: 12th

2017/18: 4th
2018/19: 4th + Copa del Rey title

No more needs to be said. 🤐 pic.twitter.com/Fk4KlR0Gz3
— Talking LaLiga (@TalkingLaLiga) September 11, 2019

Libertad attempted to use the legal system to remove Lim from power believing that his purchase of the club was illegal, as allegedly he used funds generate from third-party ownership of players to buy shares in the club - a claim that would be rejected in the courtroom.

Having once generated over a billion from transfers, Valencia now face a lack of investment in order to remain sustainable. Selling players in hopes of reducing the wage bill, a lack of European football, a 28% in audiovisual rights and interest from loans taken out, the club remains in a debt of around €335 million.

What's next?

With an uncertain future and struggling for results in La Liga, Valencia are starting in the face of relegation. A prospect that once seemed unthinkable for such a historic club.