Struggling Espanyol sacked coach Jose Maria Esnal "Mane" in the early hours of Tuesday as the club tries to halt its slide toward relegation.

The decision was taken as a direct result of last Sunday's 0-4 away defeat to Malaga.

Mane has only been in charge for six Primera Liga games and two matches in the Kings Cup. But he has been totally unable to improve the fortunes of a club that sacked its first coach of the season, Tintin Marquez, on Dec. 2.

Under Mane, Espanyol have had a dismal record, taking only two points from a possible 18. Although Mane did see the club into the last eight of the Kings Cup, Espanyol had to rely on away goals to get them past third category side Poli Ejido.

Mane had previously saved Athletic Club Bilbao from relegation in similar circumstances and had taken Alaves to the UEFA Cup finals in 2001, however, he leaves Espanyol struggling in the Primera Liga.

The team is third from bottom with just 15 points, five points away from fourth from bottom side Numancia and with a lot of work to do to avoid relegation.

Former player Mauricio Poccettino will take charge of the club for Wednesday's Kings Cup quarter final, when Espanyol entertain no less than their local rivals, the Primera Liga leaders FC Barcelona.

(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2009)