After a four-year break from coaching, legendary former Barcelona and Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes is stepping back into management. The three-time Champions League winner has been named the new head coach of Real Avila, a small but ambitious club fighting for promotion in the Spanish lower leagues.🚨🇪🇸 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Victor Valdes is the new manager of 4th division Spanish club, Real Ávila CF! Best of luck to the former Barcelona goalkeeper. 👏 pic.twitter.com/18Bc7F0Qbm— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) April 25, 2025 Valdes, who previously managed Escuela Deportiva Moratalaz, Barcelona’s Juvenil A side, and Horta in the Tercera RFEF, is now taking on a fresh challenge with Real Avila, a team currently competing in Spain’s fourth tier. During his playing career, Valdes made 535 appearances for Barcelona during a glittering 12-year stay at Camp Nou, collecting numerous trophies along the way.Since retiring in 2017, he earned his UEFA Pro Licence the following year but had stayed away from the touchline after his brief spell with Horta. Speaking to the media after his unveiling at Real Ávila, Valdes also touched on his ambitions, including the possibility of one day managing Barcelona’s first team.Víctor Valdés showing his class! #HBD || #UCL pic.twitter.com/KcPZprM9gR— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 14, 2023 “I’m taking it one step at a time. This is the opportunity I have now. I am in Segunda RFEF. I have to be humble, learning from my mistakes and celebrating small and big victories.” concluded Valdes.##NAJAVA_MECA_8884713##
