Valencia CF has endured a long period marked by a fragile financial footing and a social crisis driven by the management choices of the club’s current owners. Over time the downturn deepened, and looking ahead the situation shows little sign of easing. In conversations with SUPERDEPORTE, whose parent media group also publishes this newspaper, the club’s president lays bare the harsh financial reality in the economics section. He states that the club is facing a deficit this year and questions where new funds will come from, noting that it will be very difficult to maintain a squad with salaries totaling more than 70 million euros. He suggests that a successful season will require continuing responsible spending and points to the example of a club like Sevilla as a blueprint, emphasizing the need to buy smartly and to balance the books even if that means accepting tough decisions about the personnel market.
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“This comes from years of overspending, from Negredos to Abdennour, Guedes, Maxi Gómez, Cillessen and more”
Sports planning for the upcoming season remains the central concern for Valencia supporters, especially given the patterns seen in recent summers. Audio records show the president describing cash shortages and ruling out loan options. He asks, what will be done next season, how salary obligations will be met, and where 100 million might be found. He notes there is a clear need to consider selling assets. Anıl also explains the reasons that led to the current squeeze: overspending over many years has constrained the club from signing players in the age range of 30 to 40, limiting transfer options.
In his remarks about the 2018/19 season, the president recalls a period of notable on pitch success yet persistent financial strain. He recalls reaching the Champions League, lifting a domestic cup, and facing high staff costs. He calculates that the club received limited television revenue and that the cost of maintaining Mestalla absorbs a substantial portion of revenue. He estimates the overall effect as a gap that remains even when a strong league performance is achieved. He also points out that not competing in European tournaments reduces television income and worsens cash flow, bringing the balance into the red as of the latest figures. The pandemic is highlighted as an aggravating factor, elevating the challenge of maintaining a 165 million euro payroll against a 200 million euro budget when Champions League participation is not secured.
Anıl Murthy on Soler and the press
Murthy discusses the numbers involved in reaching a level that allows Valencia to compete among Europe’s elite. He argues that a robust income stream is essential to aim for the Champions League and cites the financial threshold needed to sustain such a campaign. He warns that even in clubs with strong results, the path remains demanding and depends on disciplined financial management. The message to peers in other clubs emphasizes that the road to the top requires both strategic spending and measured investments, especially in a market where costs are rising and revenue streams can be volatile.
He notes that matching the landscapes of historically successful teams remains a significant challenge. He points to Sevilla as an example of how a club can balance ambition with the realities of the market. The speaker underscores that achieving consistent success requires revenues that support large-scale competition, and stresses the importance of a balanced approach to player sales and acquisitions to avoid destabilizing the squad while pursuing top-tier competition.
“If you want to compete at the champions level, you need to earn 300 million”
The president also discusses the financial dynamics behind Villarreal and the broader market. He mentions that despite the ownership and recent achievements in European competition, there is a need to monetize assets due to the absence of Champions League participation. The emphasis remains on prudent financial planning and on finding a model that ensures sustainability while pursuing the club’s ambitions in national and European competitions.
Finally, the club president reflects on what the Valencia model could look like if revenues fail to exceed a certain threshold. He urges a cautious approach to any major project such as a new stadium, noting that large expenditures must be matched by corresponding income to avoid destabilizing the club’s finances.