Espanyol and Real Valladolid have sacked their respective managers. The departures of Diego Martínez from Espanyol and Pacheta from Valladolid come just one matchday after Pablo Machín and Jorge Sampaoli made way for Sebastián Beccacece and José Luis Mendilibar at struggling Elche and Sevilla.
Espanyol have justified their decision to part ways with Martínez due to the results this season and with the aim of “achieving continuity” in the top flight, according to a statement from the Catalan club.
“RCD Espanyol has decided to end Diego Martínez’s tenure as first-team coach. The results have led our club to take this decision with the sole and clear objective of achieving continuity in the top flight,” the club said.
The 42-year-old head coach from Vigo took charge of the Catalan side a total of 31 times, winning nine games, drawing nine and losing 13. Espanyol, through their club president and board of directors, wanted to thank him for his “work and commitment” since he was appointed in July 2022.
Meanwhile, the dismissal of Pacheta has come just a day after the 6-0 defeat to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“Pacheta will not continue at the helm of Real Valladolid. The club recognises the role he has played in the team since his arrival but, always with the sole objective of staying in the top flight at the end of the current campaign, and has opted to move in a different direction,” wrote Valladolid in an official statement on Monday.
Kieran Quaile | GSFN
