Garrido confirmed as new Club Brugge coach

Former Villarreal CF boss Juan Carlos Garrido has been confirmed as the new coach of Club Brugge KV, putting pen to paper on a deal until the end of the season.

"Garrido is known to be a strong leader who emphasises the values of hard work," said a Club Brugge statement. "He has a modern vision for the game, he values youth development and his passion for working with players is infectious. He stands for the never-say-die attitude that this club is all about."

Spaniard Garrido, 43, succeeds Georges Leekens who was dismissed on 4 November following a run of four consecutive Belgian First League defeats. Since the 63-year-old's departure, interim coach Philippe Clement has guided the team to a 2-2 UEFA Europa League home draw with Newcastle United FC, as well as overseeing Sunday's 6-1 defeat at domestic pacesetters RSC Anderlecht.

A former Villarreal B coach, Garrido was promoted to the first-team helm at El Madrigal to replace Ernesto Valverde in February 2010. He negotiated a fourth-placed Spanish Liga finish the following season, and also led Villarreal to the 2011 UEFA Europa League semi-finals, before he was eventually sacked in December 2011.

Currently down in eighth place in the Belgian top flight, Brugge are third in UEFA Europa League Group D and host FC Girondins de Bordeaux – whom they trail by three points – on matchday five, 22 November.