La Liga strugglers Valencia fire Baraja after falling to 19th place

Valencia sacked head coach Ruben Baraja on Monday after a five-match winless streak in La Liga, the relegation-threatened club announced.

The six-time Spanish champions -- Baraja was a pivotal figure in their midfield in two of those title wins -- sit second-bottom in La Liga with just 12 points from 17 matches.

Valencia have not played outside the top flight since the 1986/87 season.

Baraja, 49, had been in charge since February 2023, helping them avoid relegation before a ninth-placed finish last season.

"The dynamic of results during this season has required a decision that has been very difficult to make, but which has been taken with the aim of turning the situation around and achieving better results," the club said.

Valencia are next in action after the winter break against reigning La Liga champions Real Madrid on Jan. 3.