Valencia sack head of medical services Pedro López amid injury crisis

Valencia CF confirmed on Monday that Pedro López Mateu has been dismissed as head of medical services, a decision that comes during one of the club's worst injury crises in recent memory, with more than ten first-team players out of action. The doctor, who was starting his eighth season at the club, learned of his exit during a meeting with general manager Javier Soler. The move keeps Kiat Lim, son of majority shareholder Peter Lim, pushing ahead with the sweeping restructuring that began with the departures of Carlos Corberán, Ron Gourlay and the entire scouting department.

• Dr. Pedro López Mateu leaves his post as head of medical services after seven and a half years at Valencia.
• The sacking comes with more than ten first-team players injured this season.
• Braulio Vázquez is already working as sporting director and Javier Aguirre is about to be confirmed as head coach.
• The rest of the medical staff built by López stays in place for now.
• Valencia have not yet named a replacement or unveiled the new medical department structure.

Pedro López Mateu, eight seasons leading Valencia's medical department

Pedro López Mateu joined Valencia in November 2019 after more than twenty years in sports medicine. Over nearly eight campaigns, he oversaw the care and monitoring of players across the men's first team, the women's first team and the VCF Academy. His spell covered a period of deep institutional and sporting instability: he worked under close to ten head coaches, several sporting directors and different presidents, from Anil Murthy to the current Kiat Lim.

Kiat Lim's clear-out at Valencia picks up speed

The medical chief's departure is the latest chapter in a root-and-branch overhaul that began on the touchline and in the boardroom. Carlos Corberán was sacked as head coach and Ron Gourlay lost his role as CEO of football; the entire scouting team followed. Now the medical area joins the shake-up with Braulio Vázquez installed in the sporting director post and Javier Aguirre poised to be confirmed as first-team manager.

Over ten players in the treatment room as the axe falls

The news lands at a fragile moment physically. The injury outbreak hitting Valencia this season has forced more than ten first-team players through the medical room and onto the sidelines. It is a backdrop that adds weight to the decision and puts immediate pressure on the next medical lead, who will inherit a squad battered by muscle and joint problems.

What Valencia need from the new medical department

The international break offers valuable breathing space to reorganise the medical setup without matches in between. The club wants López Mateu's successor to start as soon as possible and use these weeks to update protocols, assess the injured players and prepare their gradual return. The goal is to stop the flow of absences that has weakened the team in the opening stretch of the season and bring stability to a service that has seen repeated changes of leadership in recent years.

Valencia CF thanks Dr. Pedro López Mateu for his dedication and professionalism during these years and wishes him the best of luck in his professional future. The Club will announce the new medical department structure shortly.

Valencia CF's official statement

Valencia made the decision public through a statement confirming the end of their professional relationship with the doctor. In it, the club notes that López Mateu joined in November 2019 and had since led the medical area, overseeing the men's first team, the women's team and the Academy. The club thanks him for his work, wishes him well and says the new medical department structure will be communicated in the coming days.