Last Updated: Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:01
Spanish side Real Valladolid have confirmed coach Jose Luis Mendilibar has been sacked following Sunday's draw with Almeria.
Vallodolid have been struggling in La Liga and have endured a wretched league run in recent times - winning just three in their past 31 league games.
The stalemlate against relegation-rivals Almeria, which left Valladolid just one point above the drop zone, appeared to be the final straw for club president Carlos Suarez, who announced his departure and revealed reserve team coach Onesimo would take over first-team duties for the time being.
A statement on the club website read: "Jose Luis Mendilibar is not Real Valladolid coach any more. President Carlos Suarez announced the sad decision on Monday morning, a day after the draw against Almeria.
"Onesimo, until now the reserve coach, will be his replacement. The new coach will take his first training session on Tuesday, after which he will be presented to the media.
"The decision is sad for the club because Mendilibar is a professional who is much loved at the Zorrilla, as much for his human side as for his outstanding work since he took charge of the team.
"But the club decided to look for drastic solutions to combat a negative run of results which is continuing to stretch."
The statement went on to pay tribute to the sacked coach, adding: "Jose Luis Mendilibar is going, but his time at Valladolid leaves a profound stamp on the club. The name Mendilibar has been etched in capital letters in the club's history."