Real Zaragoza have dismissed coach Marcelino Garcia Toral following a run of five Primera Liga games without a win.
Marcelino has been in charge of Zaragoza since 2008 and last season led the club to promotion back to the top flight.
However, he has secured just three wins in 14 games so far this term and Saturday night's 2-1 home defeat by Athletic Bilbao proved to be the final straw.
Results from Sunday's games could also see Zaragoza slip into the relegation zone, prompting president Eduardo Bandres to sack Marcelino.
"There are arguments that explain this decision," said Bandres.
"In the world of football everything is about opinions, but results aren't, they are incontestable, and they ultimately determine the decisions that are made.
"Of the 16 official games that Real Zaragoza have played this season, we have only won three. The record is even more negative if one looks at the last 11 games. The statistics are very negative."
Zaragoza, who play Real Madrid in their final game of 2009 at the Bernabeu next weekend, have placed reserve-team coach Jose Aurelio Gay in temporary charge of the team as they seek a new manager.
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