Manzano sacked as Atletico boss

Atletico Madrid have sacked coach Gregorio Manzano after Wednesday’s dismal Copa del Rey loss to Albacete.

Reports suggested the Atletico board had decided to fire Manzano after Sunday’s La Liga loss at home to Real Betis, irrespective of the outcome of their mid-week meeting with the Segunda side.

However, their embarrassing 1-0 loss at the Vicente Calderon has now sealed Manzano’s fate, with the club releasing a statement on Thursday.

“The Executive Committee of Atletico Madrid, meeting today to discuss the sporting situation, unanimously decided to dismiss Gregorio Manzano as first team coach,” the statement read.

“This decision has been communicated to the technician, with whom we reached an agreement for the termination of his contract.”

“Atletico Madrid thanks Gregorio Manzano for the work done and wishes him well for the future.”

Former Liverpool and Inter Milan manager Rafael Benitez, who turned down Atletico in pre-season, is said to the club’s preferred candidate to take over.

However, former Atletico midfielder Diego Simeone is now in the running after parting company with Racing Club on Tuesday.

Manzano only arrived in the Spanish capital in June and despite leading Atletico into the knockout stages of the Europa League, he has come in from fierce criticism from the club’s fans because of his side’s inconsistent form in the league, in which they sit 10th.