Marcelino has been sacked as coach by Real Zaragoza.

The 2-1 loss to Athletic Bilbao yesterday means Zaragoza have taken just one point from their last five games and that has left them 17th in the Primera Division standings, with just three wins and 12 points since their promotion in the summer.

If third-bottom Racing Santander beat bottom club Xerez at home on Sunday, then Zaragoza would drop into the relegation zone.

The decision to dismiss Marcelino was taken at a board meeting tonight, after which Zaragoza president Eduardo Bandres held a press conference.

"There are arguments that explain this decision. In the world of football everything is about opinions, but results aren't, they are incontestable, and they ultimately determine the decisions that are made," he said.

"Of the 16 official games that Real Zaragoza have played this season, we have only won three. The record is even more negative if one looks at the last 11 games. The statistics are very negative."