Carlos Corberan: Valencia appoint West Bromwich Albion as head coach

West Bromwich Albion left it late to deliver their Christmas Eve bomb as Carlos Corberan left to take over at Valencia.

Santa was well into his rounds when the announcement came just 20 minutes to midnight.

But where does that leave the club now? And their now former head coach.

Heading back to Spain to manage Valencia could prove a risk for 41-year-old Corberan.

Just ask one of his predecessors in the job, Gary Neville!

The men from Mestalla are in the relegation zone, have struggled financially and since current Aston Villa boss Unai Emery left in 2012, only one manager has lasted longer than two years in charge.

But then there is Albion’s own financial situation.

Corberan’s hands have been tied for most of his 26-month reign.

He was appointed as Steve Bruce’s successor in October 2022, when chairman Guochuan Lai was still officially at the helm, but in name only, with presence and financial support completely non-existent. Yet Corberan orchestrated a team that went from the relegation zone to just missing out on a 2022–23 Championship play-off place.

The following season he secured a top-six finish, losing in the semi-finals to Southampton, who he was also linked with last week – again without a penny for his recruitment team to spend.

But his coaching qualities showed when he turned cast-offs such as Cedric Kipre and Alex Mowatt into vital members of his starting XI, which he has done again this season with Karlan Grant.

Despite American businessman Shilen Patel’s takeover in February, the club’s financial restrictions continue. Only last week it was revealed that the reduced salary budget back in the summer was actually a whopping 30%, forcing several players to lose.

For the Baggies, it’s a short-term blow – especially the timing of it with three games coming up in six days over the festive period. But it can be an initiative that suits all parties.

Corberan will finally prove himself in the top flight of an elite league, he will get a move close to his family and the vocal minority of Albion fans who have grown tired of his football will get to see something else.

It does come with a ‘be careful what you wish for’ side warning though, because the work he has done in stabilizing the club on the pitch during a period of utter turmoil cannot be underestimated and they are certainly in a better place compared to two years ago.

He should leave with the best wishes of the majority of Baggies supporters – and will certainly do so with those he worked with on the training ground because, as well as being a top manager, most importantly, he is a decent man.