Struggling Celta sack coach Cardoso and appoint Fran Escriba

MADRID - Spanish Liga Santander strugglers Celta Vigo on Sunday sacked coach Miguel Cardoso and announced Fran Escriba as his replacement.

Cardoso was sacked in the wake of the 1-0 midday defeat to Eibar which leaves Celta just two points above the relegation zone and three ahead of bottom of the table side Huesca.

Cardoso replaced Toni Mohamed earlier in the season and was in charge for 15 games which saw Celta win three, draw two and lose 10, although the Portuguese coach will argue he has been handicapped by two muscle injuries suffered by his side's top scorer Iago Aspas.

Escriba returns to the Liga Santander after being sacked by Villarreal early in the 2017-18 campaign. He has also coached Elche in the top flight.

His first game in charge will be at home to Betis next Sunday.