Atletico Madrid sacks Manzano

Madrid, Spain – Atletico Madrid fired coach Gregorio Manzano year-old's second stop with the club after just six months in charge.

Manzano previously coached Atletico in 2003-04, and after departing Sevilla at the end of last season, returned to Madrid. But after Atletico was eliminated from the Copa del Rey against third-division side Albacete on Wednesday, his second stint was all but over.

Atletico also sits just 10th in La Liga, although it did qualify for the final 32 of the Europa League.

Manzano signed only a one-year deal with Atletico, one of 16 clubs he has been coach of since he began his managerial career in 1983. He did lead Sevilla to fifth in La Liga last season, but his contract was not renewed.

He is the second La Liga coach to be fired after Copa del Rey exits, following Villarreal manager Juan Carlos Garrido.