New coaches for La Liga strugglers
Real Zaragoza appoint Jose Antonio Gay full time while Almeria turn to Manuel Lillo.
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| Zaragoza took a fall at Real Madrid in Gay’s first match [AFP] |
Two of La Liga’s struggling clubs have appointed new coaches to try and salvage their Spanish Primera Division seasons.
Manuel Lillo was announced as 17th placed Almeria’s coach on Thursday, four days after the sacking of Hugo Sanchez after a year in charge.
Jose Antonio Gay joins him in the relegation dogfight after being put in charge of Real Zaragoza until the end of the season, stepping up from reserve team coach for the second-from-bottom side.
“Real Zaragoza had talks and interviews with various coaches and the presentation of Jose Aurelio Gay, an in-house coach, were the most convincing for the club,” Zaragoza, who sacked Marcelino earlier this month, said on their website.
Promoted Zaragoza were hammered 6-0 by Real Madrid in Gay’s first match in charge last weekend and are in 19th out of 20 in the standings with just 12 points from 15 matches.
Almeria’s new coach Lillo, 44, has previous experience in charge at clubs including Salamanca, Real Zaragoza and Real Sociedad and his new contract will run until the end of the season.
The club said he would take charge of his first training session on December 28 after being presented to the media, and make his debut when Almeria host promoted Xerez on January 3.
Sanchez was dismissed on Sunday after Almeria’s 2-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Espanyol.