Villarreal turn to Javi Calleja after axing Fran Escriba

ByPA Sport

Published 25/09/2017 at 15:50 GMT

Javi Calleja is the new head coach of Villarreal after Fran Escriba paid for a slow start to the LaLiga season by losing his job just six games in.

Villarreal have sacked their manager

Image credit: PA Sport

Javi Calleja is the new head coach of Villarreal after Fran Escriba paid for a slow start to the LaLiga season by losing his job just six games in.

Escriba, 52, has left the Estadio de la Ceramica in the wake of Sunday's 4-0 humbling at Getafe.

"Villarreal have decided to end the contract of Fran Escriba as coach of the first team," read a club statement. "The club would like to thank the coach for his work and dedication."

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Valencia-born Escriba departs the Yellow Submarine having taken seven points from six games - far from the worst record in LaLiga.

Last season, his only full term in charge after replacing Marcelino, he took Villarreal to a sixth-placed finish which earned them Europa League football.

They are currently top of their group after one game, having beaten Astana 3-1 in their opening fixture.

Escriba's replacement is former B-team boss Calleja, who steps up until the end of the season.

Calleja, 39, was part of the Villarreal squad who reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2006.

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