Gay to stay at Zaragoza until end of season – president

Real Zaragoza president Agapito Iglesias on Tuesday dismissed speculation that the Spanish club were set to fire their coach Jose Aurelio Gay, saying the manager will stay on until the end of the season.

“There is no problem with Gay. We are aware of his good work and he is going to stay for the entire season,” he told a news conference.

“We ask that you let us work, because we have players and a coach to move forward and since the start our goal has been to remain in the first division.”

Earlier Tuesday sports daily Marca reported that Iglesias had decided to replace Gay in a bid to lift the club out of the relegation zone.

Real Zaragoza have earned just three points from their first six matches. The club tied 2-2 against minnows Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

Gay was promoted from second team coach in December 2009 and was successful in retaining Real Zaragoza’s top-flight status last season.