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MADRID, April 21 (Reuters) - Ronald Koeman has been sacked as
coach of relegation-threatened Valencia, according to Spanish media
reports on Monday.
Valencia's 5-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday left the team
two points above the drop zone.
Former Dutch international Koeman signed a two and a half year
contract at the beginning of November following the sacking of
Quique Sanchez Flores. Valencia were then fourth in the table, four
points behind leaders Real Madrid.
Spanish media also reported on Monday the club had dismissed
Koeman's assistants Jose Mari Bakero and Toni Bruins Slot and
sporting director Miguel Angel Ruiz.
The reports said club delegate Salvador Gonzalez 'Voro', a
former player at Valencia and Deportivo Coruna, would take charge
of the team until the end of the season.
Koeman has appeared an increasingly isolated figure at Valencia
in recent weeks but guided his side to a 3-1 victory over Getafe in
the King's Cup final last Wednesday.
He dropped several of the club's most influential players soon
after taking charge.
With the support of majority shareholder Juan Soler, Koeman
sidelined captain David Albelda, goalkeeper Santiago Canizares and
winger Miguel Angel Angulo, making clear none of them would play in
the first team again this season.
But the team went into free fall, winning four and drawing six
of the 22 games while the Dutchman was in charge.