Valverde takes Valencia job

Valencia have appointed Ernesto Valverde as their new first-team coach to replace the sacked Mauricio Pellegrino.

Valverde, who guided Olympiakos to the Greek championship title earlier this year, will replace Pellegrino at the helm of the Liga outfit until the end of the season, after the Argentine was dismissed following a 5-2 defeat at home to Real Sociedad on Saturday.

“Valencia have reached an agreement with Ernesto Valverde to be the coach of the first-team until June 30, 2013,” the club said in a statement.

“Valverde will be officially presented as the new coach of Valencia CF this Monday, December 3.”

The former Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao defender, who earned a solitary cap for Spain in 1990, has also previously coached Athletic, Espanyol and Villarreal, as well as two separate spells in charge of Olympiakos.

He will take charge of Valencia for the first time in their Champions League clash with Lille on Wednesday.