MADRID, Dec 3: Valencia on Monday named Ernesto Valverde as their new coach in place of Mauricio Pellegrino, sacked following the club’s 5-2 defeat to Real Sociedad at the weekend.

Valverde, formerly in charge of Athletic Bilbao, Espanyol, Villarreal and Greek side Olympiakos, has signed a contract up to the end of the season.

Pellegrino was fired on Saturday with Valencia, who have qualified for the Champions League last 16, lying 11th in the league, 22 points off leaders Barcelona.

A club statement confirming the 48-year-old Valverde’s appointment read:

“Valencia has reached agreement with Ernesto Valverde for him to manage the first team until June 30, 2013.”—AFP