Valencia sack Mauricio Pellegrino after heavy Liga defeat

Mauricio Pellegrino: Parting company with Valencia

Valencia have sacked coach Mauricio Pellegrino in the wake of Saturday's 5-2 defeat at home to Real Sociedad, club president Manuel Llorente has confirmed.

Pellegrino is a former player with the club and took over from Unai Emery at the end of last season and has guided them into the last 16 of the Champions League.

But an indifferent start to their domestic campaign that leaves them 12th in La Liga and the conceding of nine goals in their last two league games forced the hand of Llorente and his board of directors.

"We have been exchanging opinions, debating and we have taken the decision to sack Pellegrino," Llorente posted on the club's official Twitter feed.