Villarreal sack manager Fran Escriba

Villarreal have sacked coach Fran Escriba just six games into the season following the club’s 4-0 defeat at Getafe on Sunday.

Villarreal are 14th in La Liga with seven points after their third loss of the campaign, which came against Escriba’s former team.

A club statement on Monday read: “Villarreal have decided to terminate the contract of Fran Escriba as coach of the first team.

“The club wishes to thank the coach, his second in command, Josep Alcacer, and the physical trainer, Jos Mascaros, for their work and dedication during their time on the yellow bench and wishes them the best of luck.

“In the coming hours, the club will name who the new coach of Villarreal CF will be.”

The 52-year-old Escriba took the reins in the summer of 2016 on a one-year contract and steered the team to a fifth-place finish in La Liga to qualify for this season’s Europa League. The club had extended his contract for another season in May.

Villarreal play at Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday in the Europa League before hosting Eibar in La Liga on Sunday.

Former Villarreal player Javi Gracia and current youth-team coach Javi Calleja are reportedly being considered as possible replacements for Escriba.