Espanyol have confirmed the sacking of head coach Abelardo in an official club statement on Saturday morning.
The former Alaves boss is the third coach to be sacked by the Catalan club this season. Espanyol, who previously sacked Pablo Machín and David Gallego earlier in the season, currently sit rock bottom of La Liga with seven games remaining.
Sporting director Francisco Rufete will take charge until the end of the season in a bid to retain their 26-year top-flight status.
