New Coach: Koeman and Real Madrid’s in Town
By: Cesar | October 31st, 2007
According to various media outlets, including Spanish rag Marca.com, PSV’s Ronald Koeman is our new head coach.
Hmm … what do I have to say about this? I’m not sure.
After all the speculation about a superstar manager like Marcelo Lippi and Jose Mourinho, it’s a bit of a dissapointment to see Koeman take the job. Not that he isn’t successful, having won the Dutch championship three times with Ajax and PSV.
But I feel his reputation is built more as a player, having played on Barcelona’s ‘Dream Team’ of the early ’90’s. He’s best remebered for scoring the winning goal for Barca in the 1992 European Cup Final against Sampdoria.
Well, he’s here now … for the rest of this season and two more after that. Let’s see if Valencia make this official before commenting further. For now, I’d say it’s a bit of a rash move.
Today’s, it’s a match up at the Mestalla with eternal rivals Real Madrid.
I’ve never hidden my affection for the Spanish ambassadors. It’s a love-hate thing with me. I hate what they represent but at the same time, I can’t look away.
I’d rather them any day than Barcelona, who I simply can’t stand (I could go on and on about this, but I would get banned from this site if I started …)
It’s interim-gaffer Oscar Fernandez’s first game at the helm and if you believe what I wrote above, his last.
But if his tenure at the helm of our heroes is short, at least he’s going for it.
“Let’s be bold and brazen and let’s go for Madrid,” Fernandez said yesterday. And that he is, as he plans to deploy a diamond formation against the Spanish league leaders, with Silva playing an Aimar-type role behind strikers Juan Mata (or Zigic) and Fernando Morientes.
Sounds interesting to me. What do we have to lose at this point? Go for the jugular, go for the victory against what should be a rabid crowd at the Mestalla.
Koeman, Madrid. A new coach, a new formation. Didn’t I say it never gets boring writing this blog?
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Comments
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ok people.you did not like QQ.go with COEMAN now.the most defensive mint in Europe.I dont like him.the only thing he has in mind is how to play defense.See Benfica
Posted from
United States
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AJAX and AINTHOVEN.CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Posted from
United States -
Not suprised after this summer……..with this PRESIDENT thats how Valencia operates…drives fans crazy with Mourinhos and Lippis and then brings someone a step down for a big price (Valencia had to pay PSV). I dont know Koeman as much, but seriously man….he’s kind of defensive as well, besides he only won in Holland his country speaking his language….When he went to portugal he didnt do good only 1 title but with Sporting which is kinds of the least you can do cuz in Portugal is pretty much only three teams and thats it, same with Holland….three teams and thats it…Don’t understand, I liked Deschamps better (cuz Mourinho and Lippi was a dream)…cuz Deschams plays ofensive and he would have wanted to come and win titles….I don’t know…..Anyone who know Koeman better than me can tell me whats he is about?
Posted from
United States -
I’m personally pleased with Koeman’s credentials. He is more suited to our club’s profile – I almost felt insulted by Marca’s headline which was something to the effect of “in search of a Galactico” referring to all the “superstar” coaches linked to Valencia.
Valencia’s strength has always been taking players/managers with potential and making great use of them. Apart from Joaquin, none of our current team had “Galactico” credentials before coming to Valencia.
Also, Koeman has worked closely with Guus Hiddink, who I think is brilliant. He would have been great for our team, but I think he wants to coach Russia till World Cup or at least till Euro ‘08.
Posted from
United States -
Glad we didn’t go down the Hiddink route again. That was a weird period for the club and I am glad they didn’t consider him again …
Posted from
United States -
Yay we scrubed the bottom of the barrel and found a non Champions League winner and non Liga winnier and Non Premiership winning coach. But hey at least he won the Dutch league? wtf
How much was this buy $1.50 and some oranges?
Posted from
Canada -
Must say I too am a bit disappointed after hoping for Jose, but its still a step up from QQ.. Hope we run over madrid with this attacking formation, don’t know why we havent deployed Silva in an “Aimar-like” position behind two strikers
Posted from
United States -
I don’t have any problems with Koeman. I don’t feel that Valencia needs to validate its existence with a ‘name’ coach such as Lippi, Mourinho etc. I just hope that Koeman brings some stability to Valencia after the last year and change of varying degrees of turmoil. Hope he brings Afellay with him, or at least makes it possible for him to come. His worth will be proved this summer when hopefully MAR and him can put together a good transfer plan. Actually, it’s good that he’s coming now so that he can get a good handle of what additions and subtractions need to be made in the summer.
And go Oscar Fernandez! His youth team of last year won the double.
Posted from
Belgium -
im happy with him. i have a good feeling bout him.. i could be wrong but i dnt think so.
Posted from
United Arab Emirates -
He is quite defensive, but otherwise not a bad coach.
Posted from
Australia -
Oh my god this is pitiful.
I’d say Helguera is Man of the Match so far, he’s really showing how much he loves Madrid.
Posted from
Canada -
LoooooL Thank GOD KOEMAN IS DEFENSIVE… WE NEEED DEFENSE LIKE HELL AND IN THE WAY GET GOALKEEPER PLEASE, i had high expectations for Timo but serioulsy he proved tht he is a testicle. 5-1 ouch! Man of the match juaqiun,, even miguel’s level have fallen down,, because he cant be defending by him self…
Posted from
United Arab Emirates -
I think Hildebrand needs to be given a chance, it’s not easy when you have Valencia’s sorry defense in front of you.
Posted from
Canada -
Hildebrand is not bad but he took a thrashing and looked like he gave up at half time something Cani never did.
Posted from
Canada -
My God… I don’t even know what to say.. I guess times like this the true Che diehards like Angulo and Vicente battle to the end. I hated the idea of Helguera, subsequently wanted to give him a chance, but now I’m positive we need to move for an experienced quality CB in January
Posted from
United States -
wow, that was bad
but look at the bright side, we’re better than villarreal
Posted from
United States -
For all that the players are likely to get the blame for the inflated scoreline, the manager was definitely naive in thinking that he could change a defensive formation that had served Valencia so well over the past few seasons and expect the players to adapt to it so quickly. Of course, Real’s extra early goal did not help matters, forcing the team to push forward even more than youmight have expected, but they were slaughtered on the counter almost every time. It could have been worse, with Metzelder missing an absolute sitter and a couple of good saves from Hildebrand.
Posted from
Germany -
Our defense has been bad since the start of the season and a lot of us voiced dangers of how an attacking team like Real Madrid can expose it completely. None of the defenders inspires any confidence yesterday – one goal each can be blamed totally on the four defenders (in fact two on Helguera). I think Hildebrand was good – he was so frustrated with the poor defending..he still doesnt have quite the same rapport with team as Canizares to shout and yell at players.
On positive side of it, it makes it extremely clear to even a novice that we need to fix our defense. That’s our real problem which has traditionally been our greatest strength. I dont know why Alexis hasnt been tried as CB more often.
The scoreline might suggest otherwise but our level of play overall was much better than against Sevilla where we looked clueless.
Posted from
United States -
Are you kidding me we looked absoulutly clueless. 5-1 Thats pretty damn clueless! I was absoulutely frustrated as Real was just one touch passing the whole game. I really thought that by the end of the game it might be 9-1. It it totally could have been, Real kinda just let up after 5.
Posted from
United States -
Yo, Cez, youre prophetic!! You said 5-0 on my blog and although it turned out 5-1 in actuality I’ll still give u props calling it.
As far as the coaching situation, trust me, you want Koeman, forget Lippi and definitely forget Mourinho, although successful they don’t produce good football. Koeman will have u guys moving forward and attacking. Lippi is a gold chain wearing pimp and Mourinho is a baby Capello!! You guys are better off without them.
Hala Madrid. See u at Nevada’s!!
Posted from
United States -
I miss our rivalry in the Champions League, Koeman will bring you guys back there.
Posted from
United States -
I think Koeman is jut what Valencia need,I know he will have the guts to trust the young player like Alexis, Sunny and Motta.I Liked QQ but towards the end I believed he lost the plot with his tactics an team selection.
Posted from
United Kingdom -
After some thought, I too am comming to agree with Koeman as a creditable coach for us (I would have prefered Scolari if possible). I detest Mourinho as a person & his negative football. He belongs in English football which is a business & a rip-off of Latin football (i.e. its creative players & coaches) to enchanced its own status in world football.
Posted from
United States -
WOW! Good call on English football! Big time rip-off of latin football!!! Could not have put it any better!
Posted from
United States -
O My God That Was Bad but Still when Everybody is fit we have the best spanish squad in la liga and it will prove dont panic valencia fans> With Koeman we will play soccer and not hopefull balls as was the case with qq mark my words Valencia will be back. Amunt Valencia!!!
Posted from
Suriname
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