Wednesday 2 July 2014 17:09, UK
Valencia have sacked coach Juan Antonio Pizzi just seven months after he took over at the club.
Pizzi succeeded the sacked Miroslav Djukic last December after winning the Argentinian Primera Division title with San Lorenzo, but has now met the same fate as his predecessor.
The Argentinian coach was unable to turn around the team's fortunes in the league in a half-season in charge and could only lead them to finish eighth in the Primera Division, the club's worst league finish since 1998.
His side fared better in Europe, and were 30 seconds away from reaching the final of the Europa League, but were defeated by Sevilla on away goals thanks to a last-minute goal by Stephane M'bia.
Doubts about Pizzi's future began to emerge with the protracted purchase of the club by Singapore billionaire Peter Lim at the end of the season, and although Pizzi had an extra year left on his contract, the club announced in a statement on their official website that he and his coaching staff had been let go.
The statement read: "In light of the process of the sale of Valencia, for motives separate to the management of the club and with the aim of being able to enjoy a stable sporting project in the future, the Valencia board, after analysing all the possibilities of this complex and crucial moment for shareholders, have taken the decision to relieve Juan Antonio Pizzi of his services as coach.
"Valencia wish Pizzi and his coaching staff all the best in the future, they have worked for the club with professionalism and commitment."
Pizzi's early dismissal makes him the fifth Valencia coach to leave the club in 24 months, following Unai Emery, Mauricio Pellegrino, Ernesto Valverde and Djukic out the door.
