Harvey Elliott’s bad luck continues as Valencia sack Carlos Corberán after disastrous start
Harvey Elliott has suffered another major setback just days after completing his move to Valencia, with the Spanish club dismissing manager Carlos Corberán following a disastrous opening to the La Liga season.
Valencia confirmed the decision after the team collected just one point from their first five league matches, leaving them at the bottom of the table. The club have also scored only one goal during that run.
The timing will be particularly frustrating for Elliott. The Liverpool midfielder joined Valencia on loan for the 2026/27 season after previously spending last season on loan at Aston Villa. His move to Spain was viewed as an opportunity to get regular football, rebuild his confidence and enjoy a fresh start after a difficult spell in terms of playing time.
What makes the latest development even more unfortunate is Elliott’s relationship with Corberán before the move. Elliott revealed after joining Valencia that he had spoken directly with the manager before deciding to make the switch. According to the player, Corberán was very pleased about the move and explained his expectations for him during their conversation.
Elliott arrived in Valencia hoping to establish himself as an important attacking player. He said his personal objective was to regain his confidence, play freely and enjoy his football again. He also made it clear that he wanted to contribute with goals, assists and creativity.
However, just as he begins his new chapter, the manager who helped convince him about the project is now gone.
Corberán’s dismissal came after a run of four defeats and one draw in Valencia’s opening five league matches. The club has now placed Óscar Sánchez, coach of the reserve side, in temporary charge while they search for a permanent replacement.
The club has also dismissed football CEO Ron Gourlay as part of a wider restructuring of its sporting department, meaning Elliott has arrived at a club experiencing significant instability both on and off the pitch.
For Elliott, the challenge now becomes even greater. He will have to convince a new manager of his importance while adapting to a new league, new teammates and a club fighting to escape the bottom of La Liga.
The England Under-21 star had hoped Valencia would provide the stability and regular football he needed to relaunch his career. Instead, barely two weeks after arriving, the coach who personally discussed the project with him has been sacked.
And that is why Elliott’s difficult run of luck appears to have followed him to Spain.
