Fans have reacted after it was announced that former Reading FC CEO Ron Gourlay has been appointed as new CEO for La Liga side Valencia CF.
Gourlay was CEO of Chelsea for five years from 2009-2014 before he joined the Royals in 2017, spending one year with the club.
Gourlay was a controversial figure during his time with Reading and was blamed for handing out some huge contracts to players whose times did not prove successful with the club.
Former Reading chairman Sir John Madejski spoke about Gourlay’s spell with the club.
He said: “The CEO came in from large enterprises and he didn’t get the culture of Reading.
“Reading is largely a parochial club, it’s deeply set in the hearts and minds of community and I don’t think that really penetrated and I think that was where it went wrong in my humble opinion.
“He had the ear of Mr Dai but it was strange and he didn’t really bother with hearts and minds which is what you have to do.”
After leaving Reading, Gourlay was appointed as CEO of West Bromwich Albion in February 2022 before he joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli in January 2024.
He left Al-Ahli recently and will now join Spanish side Valencia CF as CEO.
Valencia finished the 2024/25 campaign in 12th spot and are managed by former West Brom boss Carlos Corberan.
