Former Barcelona star Sergi Barjuan has been named new coach of Almeria.

The 43-year-old former Spain international, who spent well over a decade at local club Barcelona before finishing his playing career at Atletico Madrid, takes over the reins at Almeria from Juan Ignacio Martinez.

Martinez was sacked on Sunday in the wake of Almeria's 4-1 home defeat to Levante the previous day, a result which left the team a point adrift of safety in the Primera Division relegation zone.

Almeria had placed B team coach Miguel Rivera in caretaker charge, but they have moved quickly to appoint Sergi for the remainder of the campaign.