Valencia in talks with Koeman

Oct 31, 2007 - 1:37 PM By Cindy Garcia-Bennett Special to PA SportsTicker

VALENCIA, Spain (Ticker) - Valencia on Wednesday confirmed it is in talks with PSV Eindhoven boss Ronald Koeman about its vacant coach's position.

The club parted with Quique Sanchez Flores on Sunday, just hours after their 3-0 defeat to Sevilla - the team's fourth loss in its past five competitive games.

Valencia sporting director Miguel Angel Ruiz told PA SportsTicker: "We are negotiating with Koeman. He is close to becoming the new Valencia coach but we must be prudent. I expect everything to be concluded today."

Sanchez Flores took charge of Valencia in the summer of 2005 after replacing Claudio Ranieri, and led the team to a third-placed finish in his first season and a top-four spot last term.

He left with Valencia in fourth spot in La Liga, four points behind pacesetters Real Madrid. At the halfway point of the Champions League group stages, Los Che are third in Group B on three points, behind Rosenborg and Chelsea.

Following his sacking, Sanchez Flores said: "I am going convinced that we were prepared to achieve our objectives, but I will accept the decision with goodwill if it is the solution for Valencia."

He added that the Valencia job had a lot of pressure attached to it, saying: "I have a slight feeling of pain, but also one of relief. They have been very difficult years, rather lonely ones. I lose a job, but I get my life back."

Koeman would arrive with an impressive track record.

The former Barcelona and Holland defender claimed two Eredivisie titles as coach of Ajax before landing his third with PSV last season.

He also won the Portuguese Super Cup during a spell with Benfica.

PSV have called a press conference for Wednesday at 8pm local time but spokesman Pedro Salazar Hewitt told PA SportsTicker: "I cannot confirm anything else."