The Ché club slipped from the First Division in the 1985-86 season and found its way back a year later, a stumble that would leave a lasting mark on its history.
Valencia CF, a storied pillar of Spanish football, had only tasted relegation once before. The last time the Ché squad dropped to the Second Division was during the 1985-86 campaign, when Valencia finished 17th in the top flight and faced a season in the second tier in 1987-88. That year, Valencia accumulated a mere 25 points, with 24 points being subtracted in an era when the league awarded two points for a win, and the First Division housed 18 teams. In that difficult season, the club finished behind Hércules and Celta, both of whom also faced relegation, while Valencia nonetheless managed to rebound to the top division the following year.
Why Valencia dropped in 1986
Valencia battled a grave economic crisis alongside sporting struggles, doing everything possible to preserve its top-tier status. The club had previously escaped the drop in 1983 with a dramatic goal by Tendillo against Real Madrid, but the 1986 struggle did not bend to luck. On the league’s penultimate matchday, Valencia needed a win at Barcelona’s Camp Nou to keep survival within reach, yet the team fell 3-0. The very next day, Cádiz drew with Betis at the Ramón de Carranza, sealing Valencia’s descent to the Second Division.
The Valencia squad that relegated in 1986
The Valencia team that could not sustain its status featured a roster anchored by goalkeepers Bermell and Sempere, with defenders Arias, Granero, Tendillo, Revert, Voro, Quique, Juárez and Muñoz. Midfielders included Castellanos, Arroyo, Cuxart II, Fernando, Ferrando, Subirats and Robert Fernández, while the forward line boasted Fenoll, Sicto, Cabrera, Sánchez Torres and Urruto. On the bench that season were Rubén Valdez and Alfredo Di Stéfano, illustrating the depth and leadership that were a part of Valencia’s era, even as the club faced adversity.
Valencia moved into second place in the 85-86 season alongside Hércules and Celta
The team finished 34 games into an 18-team competition with only 25 points, joining Hércules and Celta in the relegation zone. Osasuna and Cádiz earned safety, while Valencia’s struggle defined a turbulent chapter for the club. The season’s championship went to Real Madrid, finishing ahead of FC Barcelona, as the league navigated a period of intense competition and shifting fortunes.
Valencia’s return to the First Division was not far off, as the club rebuilt and reasserted its status in Spanish football with renewed focus and resilience. The season remains a significant reference point in Valencia’s long history, illustrating how financial pressures and on-field results can intersect with a club’s fate. The story of that year has been cited and recalled in analyses of the team’s historical performance and its ongoing effort to sustain top-tier status in a competitive landscape.