Atletico Madrid sack Manzano

Atletico decided to axe the 55-year-old following their midweek Copa del Rey exit.

“The executive board of Atletico Madrid, in a meeting on Thursday to assess the sporting situation, decided unanimously to dismiss Gregorio Manzano as first team coach,” read a statement on the club’s official website.

“This decision has been relayed to the coach, with whom an agreement has been reached to end his contract.

“The club will now focus on completing the hiring of a coach to lead the first team.”

“There have to be people responsible and professionals. When things don’t go well, undoubtedly you have to accept the criticism and I am the first to accept it,” Manzano said.

“I personally apologise because the truth is that our fans have been supporting the team even in adversity until they could see we were powerless to get back on the scoreboard.”