Valencia part with Sánchez Flores

Valencia CF have dismissed coach Quique Sánchez Flores after Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Sevilla FC followed a second successive loss in the UEFA Champions League.

Official statement
The 42-year-old, who spent nine years at the Mestalla Stadium as a player, took over from Claudio Ranieri in the summer of 2005 and was sacked in the early hours of this morning following an emergency board meeting. An official statement said: "After analysing the team's situation, which is considered to be irretrievable after defeats in the league and UEFA Champions League, the board has decided to dismiss Quique Sánchez Flores."

Mixed emotions
Sánchez Flores said: “On one hand I feel disappointed but on the other I’m relieved. I want to thank Valencia for giving me the chance to coach a top-class team and for giving me enough space to allow me to continue growing as a coach. I leave feeling convinced that we were ready to achieve our objectives at the end of the season, but if this is the best solution for everyone, I accept it willingly. I lose a job, but get my life back."

Temporary solution
The loss in Seville left Valencia fourth in the Primera División, just four points adrift of Real Madrid CF, while Sánchez Flores's side lost 2-0 at Rosenborg BK in the UEFA Champions League last Wednesday to leave them third in Group B with three points from three games. Reserve team boss Óscar Fernández has been placed in temporary command while the club seek a permanent replacement for the outgoing coach.

Seventh departure
Sánchez Flores is the seventh UEFA Champions League coach to leave his post since the start of the group stage. Already gone were Albert Emon at Olympique de Marseille, Chelsea FC's José Mourinho, Gheorghe Hagi from FC Steaua Bucureşti, Anatoliy Demyanenko at FC Dynamo Kyiv and, most recently, Sevilla's Juande Ramos and Rosenborg's Knut Tørum, meaning Valencia will welcome the Norwegian side on 6 November with both teams having changed coach in the fortnight since their previous encounter.