Valencia have confirmed that their Dutch coach Ronald Koeman is quitting his post after a sequence of poor results that have left the club hovering above the relegation zone.
Koeman and Valencia reached an “amicable agreement” to end his contract, after less than six months in the job, the club said in a brief statement.
Santiago Gonzales, a former Valencia player, will take over as coach on a temporary basis, Spanish newspapers said.
On Sunday, they suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao and are now just two points above from the relegation zone after one win in their last 10 La Liga outings.
The 2002 and 2004 Spanish champions, who have also reached the Champions League final twice in the last decade, were in contention to qualify for next year’s Champions League when Koeman took over last November.
Koeman caused controversy during the winter transfer window by telling three Valencia stalwarts – Spanish internationals Santiago Canizares, Miguel Angel Angulo and David Albelda – that they could leave the club.
The move alienated many of Valencia’s supporters who have been chanting for him to resign or be sacked ever since, even during Wednesday’s Cup final when they beat Getafe 3-1.
