MADRID: La Liga strugglers Elche became the first Spanish top-flight club to sack their coach this season, when they dispensed with the services of coach Francisco Rodriguez in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The club confirmed the decision following Monday’s 2-1 defeat away to Rayo Vallecano, who claimed victory with a stunning volley from midfielder Unai Lopez in the 96th minute.

The defeat leaves Elche bottom of La Liga with just one point from their first seven games of the campaign, and they have suffered some heavy defeats.

Rodriguez arrived at Elche in November last season with the club in the relegation zone and was able to assure their top-flight survival with three games left to play.

In the communique announcing the sacking, the club thanked Rodriguez for “the hard work and commitment for his time as a ‘green and white’, achieving survival in La Liga last season.”

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2022