Valencia plan sporting director appointment within 60 days for Spanish market | OneFootball

Ron Gourlay, Valencia’s CEO of Football, says the club plan to appoint a sporting director focused on the Spanish market within 60 days. The role will sit between head coach Carlos Corberán, who has been backed, and Gourlay.

According to Superdeporte, November hires completed a first phase, adding scouting director Lisandro Isei plus market specialists Hans Gillhaus and Andrés Zamora. Phase two is the sporting director, easing recruitment load on the coach.

Gourlay said winter was not the right time to fill it, and expects completion in 30-60 days. He described a transition with infrastructure built to support the coach and fit Valencia’s philosophy.

He stressed early identification of targets, citing Justin de Haas. Valencia attempted to sign the Famalicao centre-back in January, but a July move was set after his club refused a €1 million exit and Mouctar Diakhaby’s injury shifted preference to a right-footed defender.

Gourlay said the model has changed, prioritising data-led scouting and finding players before they become stars, as big fees are not feasible. He added the sporting director is a distinct role, with analysis ongoing and no announcement yet.

He put January spend at €10 million on Umar Sadiq, contracted until 2028, plus Guido Rodríguez and Unai Núñez to June. He believes the trio will improve the squad, called De Haas a top player, said the president backs him, and indicated there would not be urgency to sell next summer.

Source: Superdeporte