Under-fire Valencia chairwoman quits
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Valencia
president Chan Lay Hoon will step down in July, the club said on
Monday, after employing five different coaches in little more than two
years in charge.
The
La Liga club said in a statement that she would be replaced by fellow
Singaporean and former diplomat Anil Murthy, who will step up from his
current position as an exectuive director.
Chan
was appointed
in December 2014 after the club's takeover by Singaporean
businessman Peter Lim amid high hopes that Valencia could once again
become genuine challengers for silverware in Spain and Europe.
But
after finishing fourth in 2015, Valencia could only manage 12th place
last season and find themselves stuck mid table this term.
Under Chan's leadership, a succession of coaches have passed through the exit door.
Portuguese
Nuno Espirito Santo left in November 2015, followed by Englishman Gary
Neville, who departed after four months in charge and Pako Ayestaran,
who lasted six.
Italian
Cesare Prandelli then took the helm for three months before quitting in
December with the team just four places off the bottom.
He
was replaced by Salvador 'Voro' Gonzalez, who had previously had four
stints as interim coach, including two under Chan, and who has overseen
an improvement in form.
According
to Valencia's website, Murthy has spent nearly 16 years' working with
the Singapore government, advising ministers on trade, culture and
diplomacy.
Manchester
United supporter Lim bought then debt-ridden Valencia in 2014 after a
failed attempt to purchase English Premier League side Liverpool four
years earlier.
Valencia
won the last of their six La Liga titles under Rafa Benitez in 2004,
the same year as they won the old Uefa Cup, and were losing Champions
League finalists in 2000 and 2001.
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