Former Atletico Madrid coach Javier Aguirre was sacked by telephone on Monday, it has been revealed.

Atletico chief Miguel Angel Gil Marin was forced to give Aguirre the bullet over the phone as he was negotiating a new sponsorship deal in Dubai. President Enrique Cerezo was also away from Madrid, lunching in Switzerland with UEFA officials.

The firing of Aguirre had to be brought forward after media heayweights received news that Abel Resino had already agreed to takeover the coaching reigns.