MADRID, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Valencia football club sacked coach Marcelino Garcia Toral on Wednesday, just three days before they face FC Barcelona in the Camp Nou and after just three games of the season.
The decision comes after two seasons in which Marcelino led Valencia to consecutive fourth place finishes, qualifying the club for the Champions League in the 2017-18 and the 2018-19 seasons, as well as adding the Copa del Rey to last season's fourth place finish after beating FC Barcelona 2-1 in the final.
The club issued a brief communique to confirm the decision saying "Valencia CF have communicated to Marcelino Garcia Toral of his sacking as first team coach. The club wants to thank him for his work and dedication during his time at our club and wishes him all the best for the future."
The decision comes after a difficult summer in the club in which Marcelino was frustrated by the inability of the club to significantly improve the first team squad and Valencia's apparent willingness to sell Spain international striker Rodrigo Moreno to Atletico Madrid.
In the end the deal didn't happen, but the uncertainty continued until the transfer market closed on September 2nd and didn't help Valencia's start to the new campaign in which they have taken four points with a draw, a defeat and a win from their first three games.
Former Spain Under-21 coach Albert Celades will be named as Marcelino's replacement, but the former Barcelona, Real Madrid and Zaragoza midfielder has no experience in coaching a club.
He will make his debut against one of his former clubs before next week taking them to London to face Chelsea in their Champions League debut.
