Sarriugarte sacked by Athletic
Monday, November 27, 2006
Article summary
Félix Sarriugarte became the second Spanish top-flight coach to lose his job in the space of 24 hours as Athletic Club Bilbao confirmed his dismissal on Monday.
Article body
Félix Sarriugarte became the second coach in Spain's Primera División to lose his job in the space of 24 hours as struggling Athletic Club Bilbao confirmed his dismissal today.
Short reign
Athletic dropped into the relegation places with yesterday's 3-1 home defeat by Sevilla FC and following a meeting of president Ana Urkijo and her board of directors this afternoon, the club announced that Sarriugarte's short reign was over. The 42-year-old was promoted to his first senior coaching post from the role of reserve coach last summer, replacing Javier Clemente who had saved Athletic from relegation. However, 12 matches into the season, the Basque outfit have just one win and eight points and face another battle against the drop.
Third coach sacked
Sarriugarte's sacking follows Luis César Sampedro's dismissal by bottom side CG Tarragona last night. With José Mari Bakero leaving Athletic's Basque rivals Real Sociedad de Fútbol in October, it brings to three the number of top-flight teams to part company with their coach this term. Athletic have so far given no indication as to who will succeed Sarriugarte, who had previously served Athletic for five seasons as a player.