Spanish Primera Division side Rayo Vallecano have sacked coach Fernando Vazquez after the club suffered a third successive home defeat at the weekend.

Club president Mar¡a Teresa Rivero confirmed the decision to sack Vasquez 24 hours after Rayo lost 1-0 at home to Real Valladolid.

“We had three matches against teams who are at the same level as us, and we were hoping to get something from them,” Rivero said.

“But we have lost them all, and are now in a very difficult position.”

Rayo now lie third bottom of the Primera Division.

Vazquez, 48, joined Rayo last July from relegated Las Palmas. Previously he coached at Compostela, Real Oviedo, Mallorca and Real Betis.