Valencia sack Albert Celades as former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde emerges as possible successor

Valencia have announced the sacking of coach Albert Celades and former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has emerged as a possible choice to replace him this summer.

Celades has been relieved after his duties after a poor run of results, with just two wins in the team's last 13 games in all competitions.

"Valencia CF have communicated to Albert Celades his removal from his position as first team coach, with immediate effect," the club said on their website on Monday night.

"The club wish to thank him publicly for his work and dedication during his time at the club – a period in which we achieved qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League and important victories at grounds where we had previously not won."

Valencia have won only one game in five since LaLiga restarted earlier this month, losing three of their last four games. Celades' side also lost heavily over two legs to Atalanta in the last 16 of the Champions League prior to the break due to coronavirus.

Sporting director Cesar Sanchez has also handed in his resignation, with club delegate Voro set to take over for a sixth time in a caretaker capacity.

Meanwhile, Valverde is among the candidates in the frame to take over at Mestalla in the summer.

Onda Cero claim the former Barcelona coach has been looking for a house in Valencia, where he had a spell in 2012, although those reports have been dismissed as "speculation" by his agent.

Valverde can not coach another LaLiga team this season, following his Barca dismissal in January, but would be free to take over in the summer.