LaLiga: Valencia CF on the brink of a civil war – Yahoo Sports

Oh Valencia. Anybody who has had the pleasure of visiting oneofthe most underrated cities in Spain will know that its full of friendly, happy-go-lucky people. Its a city that has suffered more than most during the on-going economical crisis but whenever theres a reason to celebrat, no one stays at home moping about the tough times. In the spirit of Chumbawamba when they get knocked down, they get up again.

A crucial part of being a Valencianista is having thick skin, consider them the rhinos of the footballing world. For some strange reason theres unbridled joy up and down Spain at Valencias current plight, as if theyve wronged people in the past. Ironically so many of those poking fun are unhappy with their own board, chairman and coach. Perhaps the pointing and laughing is a welcome distraction from their own clubs mess, who knows?

I made my return to the Mestalla at the weekend to watch them face Eibar, a side so many admire for their hardworking attitude and constant push to defy the odds. Over the past couple of years Ive seen plenty of matches here and on Twitter I mentioned the fact Id never seen them lose at home [sorry guys]. What surprised me wasnt the defeat, although the manner of it did, but theunderlying feeling which has engulfed the club.

As you make your way to the station, whether its on the metro or on foot, the nerves and fear are evident. I arrived later than Id wanted to but outside the ground no one was confident. Those who werent pessimistic were angry,frustrated at decisions being made in the boardroom and by an absent chairman who, to most fans, is seen as not caring.

Protests took place before the match organised by the Curva Nord. I dont personally like the termUltras because it has a negative connotation to it, as if theyre all brainless thugs who care little about football and more about defending their territory. Im not going to delve into the deep history of the group or paint them all as saints either, but you cant deny their love and passion for the club. It isnt about having a tear up, its about respect and how little they feel theyve been shown.

Taking on the most vocal fans is adangerous game to play, especially when youre already disliked by many casual fans. Valencia decided they didnt want anyone over the age of 30 in the area occupied by the Curva Nord behind the goal, despite how long theyve been asocio or member there. Its like tackling a small fire by throwingbarrels of petrol on it. Irresponsible, needless and once again, alienating a fan base alreadydisillusioned by the direction the club is heading in.

Just before Christmas the club amended the rule of no one over the age of 30 being allowed to remain in the Curva Nord but all wasnt as it seemed.Valencia tricked people by saying everyone would be allowed to return to the stand but this wasnt true. Only a few were allowed in and theyve left more than 40 people out. Theres even more people who havent been able to renew their season ticket because they arent allowed in the same stand as always, the Curva Nord told me.

And thats the crux of Valencias issues: its run by people who have no experience or idea when it comes to managing a football club. Peter Lim is clearly a very smart business man, as his personal fortune wouldattest to, but his ownership of Valencia makesHarchesterUnited look like the model club. Fans chanted,Dndeests, Peter Lim? (Where are you, Peter Lim?) If truth be told, its probably for the best he doesnt spend more time in Spain as whenever hes here its just to sell the current star player before he disappears back to Singapore.

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Lim isnt a hands-on chairman and instead prefers to delegate duties tothose he trusts. When the current chairwoman, Layhoon Chan, said:I am Peter Lim she wasnt joking. Shes a fantastic speaker and when Amadeo Salvo stepped down from therole for personal reasons, Layhoon was seen as someone to trust, to confide in. She seemed toget what the fans needed and in times of crisis helped ease the tensions. But judging her solely on the decisions taken, shes lost the backing of the fans too.

The handling of the Paco Alcacer saga and his consequent move to Barcelona made her look weak.Ofcourse, as if there was any doubt, Paco Alcacer is a Valencia player. We dont want to sell Paco. Chans words to a local supporters club or Penya after rumours Lim was only in Barcelona to sell their star striker. It turned outthe damage had already been done and the decision to sell of the face of Valencia was later confirmed. Maybe Layhoon didnt finish that sentence aboutbeing Peter Lim and it shouldve instead beenIm Peter Lims airbag.

Layhoon comes across as a genuinely nice person but the burden of hope, that for a short period of time galvanised the fan base, has been torn down and shes now seen as a liar. Her word is no longer her bond and shes lost the trust which was handed to her. A bit like that meme of the dog sat in a roomon fire whilst sayingThis is fine, she appears out of her depth, her reputation irrecoverable.

The decisions taken since Lim has been in charge have been largely ridiculous too. Theyve gone through Juan Antonio Pizzi, Nuno Espirito Santo, Gary Neville, Pako Ayestaran and Cesare Prandelli as managers in a little over two and a half years. The current coach, Voro, has stepped in as a stop-gap various times but is now tasked with saving the club. In terms of directors of football it started out with Rufete, moved on to Jorge Mendes and Nuno, then Suso Garcia Pitarch and currently has the clubs academy director, Jose Ramon Alexanko, covering the role on an interim basis. Its like building a house in the middle of the ocean and notrealising the bricks aresimply sinking to the bottom of the seabed.

Returning briefly to the aftermath of the defeat to Eibar, the club felt it was an opportune time topubliclyannounce removing Mario Kempes from his role as ambassador. His contract was actually up in December but no official word until now was given on whether hed remain or not. And what topped it off even more was putting the decision down to the fact Kempes is too far away in the USAto fulfil the role correctly. Yes, the irony of having an owner based in Singapore deciding a club legend, held in high esteem by the fans, was too far away from the club to justify his position is incredible.

Now the decision to remove Kempes wasnt necessary a surprise but the timing of it was, and the reasoning given, more so. Valencias ambassador has been vocal at thedisarray surrounding the club, and in particular its decisions under Limsmanagement, but common sense is a trait seldom found by the decision makers. They didnt even consult Kempes during his time as ambassador!

They never cared about my opinion, never asked or consulted me about anything, Kempes said at the decision not to renew his role.At the club there are people who want to talk but they dont. Lim doesnt know how to surround himself with people who love Valencia and who could advise him [better].

Layhoon is a good leader, with a kind heart and nice ideas, although her management on a footballing level has been a disaster.Peter Lim abandoned Layhoon. Hes left her in the middle of the circus surrounded by lions. Those at Meriton are used to no one telling them the truth and they do what they want, how they want.

Valencia appointed Dami Vidagany as Director of Marketing in Europe earlier in the season and hes been talking to the local press to see what the general opinion is towards the project and decisions made so far. The issue is the planning department tends to be dominated by short-term ideas and people are naturally sceptical as to whether this approach will change anything in regards to how the club is run.

With each passing week the club falls further and further into the abyss. When I spoke with the guys from the Curva Nord about how they would go about resolving the issues at the club, what would need to change, their response gave little hope of reaching a solution.Unfortunately Valencia needs to change everything. Were at thepoint of going down due to all areas of the club performing horribly. At the next home game, in the 10th minute, theyll be a Kempes si, Lim no chant.

Former chairman Amadeo Salvo has waded into the conflict too. Valencia are going through one of the worst moments in its history, he told RadioEsportValencia. Salvo has remained silent since leaving the club, to help with the takeover, but revealed that a clause of secrecy didnt exist. He explained due to professional reasons he wouldnt be back in Spain for another couple of weeks but from that point onwards would be open to speaking his mind on Valencias woes.

Valencia need to pick their battles correctly to keep as many people on side as possible. Now isnt the time to make yet more rash decisions which will only serve to swell the ranks of those opposed to the current regime. Its about listening to fans and not trying to pull the wool over their eyes or treat them as if theyre fools. The solution wont happen overnight or come easy but its essential they work towards a long-term goal and abandon the short-termism approach which is destroying the club.

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LaLiga: Valencia CF on the brink of a civil war - Yahoo Sports