Villarreal CF have sacked coach Javi Calleja after the weekend's loss to Celta Vigo left them 17th in the table, three points clear of relegation.
The decision was taken on Monday following the team's unexpectedly poor start to the LaLiga campaign.
Club president Ferndnao Roig pulled the plug on Calleja, who joined Villarreal seven years ago as a youth team coach. Last season he was promoted to the first team, where he's overseen 65 official games.
Villarreal finished fifth last season, qualifying for the Europa League. And, despite their bad form domestically, they lead their group in Europe.
However, that wasn't enough to save Calleja's job. With relegation now a real threat and just three wins in 15 league games, the club have decided to act.