(Reuters) – Valencia have parted ways with manager Gennaro Gattuso by “mutual agreement” just over seven months after his appointment, the lowly LaLiga club announced on Monday.
Valencia said that after a long meeting between Gattuso and club officials they agreed to end the manager’s contract.
After losing 1-0 at fellow strugglers Real Valladolid on Sunday, Valencia are 14th in LaLiga with 20 points from 18 games, just a point above the relegation zone, having won only five league matches so far this season.
The 45-year-old Gattuso, formerly a combative midfielder with AC Milan and Italy, has also managed Milan and Napoli, leaving the Naples club at the end of the 2020-21 season.
He led them to a Coppa Italia triumph in 2020 but missed out on a Champions League spot by a point in his final campaign.
Gattuso joined a Valencia side in turmoil as fans demanded investment from owner Peter Lim, who bought the club in 2014.
They have since had a string of coaches including Nuno Espirito Santo, Gary Neville, Pako Ayestaran, Cesare Prandelli, Marcelino, Albert Celades, Javi Gracia and Jose Bordalas.
Voro Gonzalez, the club’s former defender and academy coach, will take over as Valencia’s caretaker manager for the eight time as they search for Gattuso’s replacement.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Ken Ferris)
