Valencia announce their new manager for 2022/23 season

The six-time Spanish champions have opted for a change in the dugout after failing to qualify for Europe in the last three campaigns.

Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed as the new Valencia manager.

The former AC Milan and Napoli boss has signed a two-year contract until June 2024 with the La Liga side. He replaces Jose Bordalas, who left the Mestalla last week after just one season in charge.

Gattuso becomes the 11th manager Valencia owner Peter Lim has hired after Juan Antonio Pizzi, Nuno Santo Espirito, Voro, Gary Neville, Pako Ayestaran, Cesare Prandelli, Albert Celades, Marcelino, Javi Gracia, and Bordalas.

“I am very happy. It’s the first time I have been to Valencia and I am happy, very proud. I have signed a contract with a historic club, with a lot of honor,” Gattuso told reporters upon his arrival at the airport in Spain.

What is Gattuso’s record in football management?

While one of the most renowned midfielders during his playing days, Gattuso’s managerial career has seen its fair share of highs and lows so far.

The 44-year-old mostly lasted only a few months in his first three roles at FC Sion, US Palermo, and OFI Crete FC before enjoying a two-year spell in charge of AC Pisa in Italy between 2015 and 2017.

He later managed AC Milan, recording 40 wins in 82 matches (D22 L20), until his departure in 2019.

Gattuso last coached Napoli from December 2019 until June 2021, managing 47 victories in 81 games (D12 L22) and winning the Copa Italia in 2019/20 – the first and only trophy of his managerial career to date.

Since leaving Napoli, ‘Rino’ became Fiorentina coach last year only to leave before his official start date. He was also a candidate for the Tottenham job last summer, which eventually went to Nuno Espirito Santo.