Valencia’s uncelebrated Copa del Rey, 2008’s chaotic year recalled | OneFootball

On 16 April 2008 Valencia lifted their seventh Copa del Rey, a triumph framed by a relegation fight.

As reported by AS, Ronald Koeman was almost alone in smiling that night.

The year had lurched from one controversy to the next. Quique Sánchez Flores was sacked at three am in late October after a loss in Sevilla, with Valencia still four points off leaders Real Madrid.

Koeman replaced him. On 18 December 2007 he told David Albelda and Santiago Cañizares, plus Miguel Ángel Angulo via his agent, that they were out, while Vicente Rodríguez was spared by president Juan Soler.

The call had been agreed at Soler’s home, but January brought no exits and the trio trained apart. Albelda sued Soler as league form dipped, even as the Copa run removed Betis, Atlético and Barcelona.

On the eve of the final, senior players met, although Koeman picked the XI. That morning vice president Rafael Salom spoke to Marcelino García Toral’s agent, a move that later fell through.

Valencia beat Getafe in the Vicente Calderón, goals from Juan Mata, Alexis and Fernando Morientes. Baraja and Marchena then told acting president Agustín Morera to cancel any celebration.

Captains and Salom delayed an immediate dismissal. Four days later a 5-1 defeat at San Mamés triggered Koeman’s exit, Voro González restored Cañizares, Albelda and Angulo, and four wins in five secured safety.

Source: AS