Valencia part with head of medical as Braulio Vázquez starts overhaul | OneFootball

Braulio Vázquez’s first major act as Valencia sporting director was to end the club’s association with head of medical Pedro López Mateu after sustained criticism in recent seasons. A glut of injuries, a disconnect with the dressing room and players seeking care outside the club had left him under intense scrutiny.

“I was involved in the decision to dismiss the medical staff, I was asked, obviously Valencia made it, but I think we needed to make a change. I do not question the doctor’s professional level, but I think it was important to make a change,” he said, speaking to El Partidazo de la Cope.

López Mateu was starting his eighth season in charge of the department and had long been under fire over persistent injuries. The move, with Vázquez now in post and Mexican coach Javier Aguirre officially appointed as Valencia’s new head coach, coincides with a significant spate that has sent more than 10 players to the treatment room at the start of the campaign.

Most of those issues have been muscular, placing much of the responsibility on the club’s medical department, and players to have suffered some form of injury across the first seven rounds include Luis Rioja, Diakhaby, Guido Rodríguez, Sadiq, Tárrega and De Haas.

In addition, Foulquier, Copete and Diego López saw their recoveries stall and chose to be treated at a clinic outside the club under other doctors. Vázquez’s arrival is prompting changes across departments, and he said at his unveiling that this would not be the only one.

Source: Superdeporte

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