Deportivo part ways with Lotina

Head coach Miguel Angel Lotina has left Deportivo La Coruna after the club were relegated from La Liga on Saturday.

Depor’s 20-year stay in the Spanish top flight came to an end with a 2-0 defeat at home to Valencia on the final day of the season.

Coupled with Real Zaragoza’s 2-1 win over Levante, the defeat left Depor 18th in the table – the third and final relegation place.

Lotina joined the club in 2007, overseeing respectable finishes of ninth, seventh and 10th in his first three seasons at Estadio Riazor.

But the 53-year-old will not be in charge when they join fellow relegated sides Almeria and Hercules in the second division next season.

“I would’ve liked (to say goodbye) in another way, with the team in the Primera Division, but we haven’t been able to do it, despite the extraordinary effort that everyone has made, from the players to our fans,” Lotina said.

“I’m deeply sorry for not being able to take this ship to a safe harbour, but I assure you it was not for want of trying. I want to say thanks and to apologise.”

“I will take with me the memory of a great club and the affection that the fans have shown me, even in these recent days which have been so difficult for all.”

“Hercules and Almeria did not have worse squads than Deportivo but I can say that up to 10 sides who will continue in the Primera Division did not have better than us.”

Depor reached the semi-finals of the Champions League as recently as 2004, knocking out holders AC Milan along the way.

They are also the only team other than Barcelona, Real Madrid and Valencia to win the La Liga title in the last 15 years, following their league championship success of 1999/00.