La Liga struggler Real Valladolid has sacked coach Paul Pezzolano in the wake of its 5-0 thrashing at home to Atletico Madrid on Saturday night.
Real Madrid's Arda Guller (R) vies with Real Valladolid's Lucas Rosa (L) during La Liga football match between Real Madrid and Real Valladolid in Madrid, Spain, Aug. 25, 2024. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Pezzolano leaves with Valladolid rooted to the bottom of La Liga with just nine points from its first 15 games this season.
The Uruguayan had been in charge for 70 matches, and oversaw its return to Spain's top flight last season, after having overseen its relegation in the closing games of the previous campaign.
He had never been popular with supporters and even joked about being sacked after sealing promotion at the end of the last campaign, although poor recruitment over the summer clearly left his side unprepared for the rigors of top-flight football.
Former Rayo Vallecano and Almeria coach Francisco Rodriguez is the favorite to be named as his replacement.