MADRID — Almeria has fired coach Francisco Rodriguez after eight straight winless matches left it just above the Spanish league’s relegation zone.
Almeria says in a statement that it will hire a new manager "who will sit on the bench" during Friday’s home match against leader Real Madrid.
The 36-year-old Rodriguez had coached Almeria since the start of last season.
His firing comes the day after Almeria lost 5-2 at promoted Eibar.
That defeat left Almeria in 17th place, and level on points with three teams at the bottom of the table.
The Andalusian side has also failed to win in all seven home games this season.
Rodriguez is the fourth coach to be fired from the 20-team topflight through 14 rounds.
