Jose Ramon Alesanco has been confirmed as Valencia’s new sporting director following predecessor Jesus Garcia Pitarch’s resignation in January.
The 60-year-old Alesanco – who also coaches the club’s academy – was named as Pitarch’s temporary placement but has now assumed the role on a full-time basis.
"Valencia CF have reached an agreement with Jose Ramon Alesanco, making him the club's new Sporting Director,” read a statement on the club’s official website.
“He will head a structure in which Vicente Rodriguez will be the new Technical Secretary.
"As a player, Alesanco won 17 trophies with FC Barcelona, and has ample experience as a member of that club's sporting management and head of their academy."
Alesanco does not believe balancing his new role with coaching the academy will lead to any conflict: “we want the first team itself to benefit from the work done at the academy, that job will be very coordinated.
"The sporting structure is going to be powerful and permanent, that is what we will work for. We don't want the structure to be altered even if people change in the future.
"We need to create a short-term, medium and long term structure to see the things that need doing. We will supervise all areas and take decisions."