Bakero rejoins Koeman at Valencia

Valencia CF have appointed José Mari Bakero to work as new coach Ronald Koeman's assistant, with the two men having previously played together at FC Barcelona.

Playing career
The 44-year-old Bakero has agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract at the Mestalla Stadium. The striker turned attacking midfielder started his career at Real Sociedad de Fútbol, winning Spanish championships in 1981 and 1982 before moving on to Johan Cruyff's Barça in 1988. He won four league titles and the 1992 European Champion Clubs' Cup at the Camp Nou and played alongside Koeman in the near-legendary 'Dream Team'.

Coaching pedigree
After hanging up his boots, Bakero worked as assistant to Lorenzo Serra Ferrer and then Louis van Gaal at the Catalan club before taking his first managerial position with Málaga CF's B team in 2004/05. In 2005 he became sporting director at Real Sociedad, taking over as coach in March 2006 and saving his team from relegation. In October 2006, the former Spanish international, was dismissed by the Basque club and returned to Málaga for a few months before accepting the job as Koeman's assistant. Valencia are currently bottom of UEFA Champions League Group B with three points from four games following back-to-back defeats against Rosenborg BK.