Alaves coach Jose Manuel Esnal has parted company with the club following a dismal run of form that sees the team mired in relegation zone.
Esnal, more commonly known in Spain as “Mane”, will be replaced by reserve team coach Txutxi Aranguren until the end of the season.
“We reached a mutual agreement that itwould be better if there was a change in coach,” club president Gonzalo Anton told a news conference.
“Mane is a historic figure at the club and it was a very difficult decision to take. But I have to use all the means at my disposal to get the club out of its present difficulties.”
Mane has been in charge of Alaves for six years, leading them to second division championship and promotion to the top flight in his first season in charge. His greatest achievement was to lead the club to the final of the UEFA Cup in 2000, where they went down 5-4 to Liverpool.
Alaves lie 19th in the 20-team first division.
