The decision had already been taken since Sunday. The Espanyol board felt that the team had hit rock bottom and that there was nowhere to take the team. There was no improvement whatsoever in play or results, but rather a regression that was leading irremediably to the relegation zone.
The only thing missing was to finalise the details of the agreement with Garcia, the former Espanyol star, to announce the departure of Diego Martinez from the Catalan side.
"Espanyol has decided to end Diego Martinez's tenure as first team coach. The sporting results have led our club to take this decision with the sole and clear objective of achieving continuity in the top flight.
"The club, through its President and Board of Directors, wishes to thank the work and commitment of the coach and his staff since he took over the management of the first team, and wishes him the best of luck in his future professional challenges," the club said, which adds that "Espanyol will soon inform about the new first team coach".
Luis Garcia will be his replacement
His successor will be an old acquaintance of the Espanyol fans, Garcia, who was in charge of RSC Internacional, a club that next season will become Real Madrid's second reserve team. As a result, the coach has had to ask permission from the Valdebebas club to break his contract and sign for Espanyol. It will be his debut as a professional coach.
Pacheta ousted by Valladolid
Valladolid, in 16th, parted ways with Jose Rojo Pacheta (55), the manager who led them to promotion last season.
Valladolid, owned by former Brazil striker Ronaldo, were thrashed 6-0 by champions Real Madrid on Sunday.
"The club recognises the... role he has played in the team since his arrival but, always with the sole objective of staying in the top flight at the end of the current campaign, has opted to move in another direction," Valladolid said.
"A difficult decision for all that Pacheta stands for, a leader of the team that managed to return to LaLiga in just one year and through direct promotion ... a fact that will always be remembered and valued."
There have now been nine sackings this season in LaLiga, in addition to Gennaro Gattuso's departure from Valencia by mutual agreement.
