Sergi replaces sacked Martinez at Almeria

Almeria have wasted no time in replacing Juan Ignacio Martinez as coach, hiring former Spain international Sergi to lead them through the last nine games of the Liga season.

Martinez paid for a 4-1 drubbing at home to Levante with his job on Sunday, and less than 24 hours later, Sergi has been installed as the man to turn around their season.

The Andalusian club sit 18th in La Liga, without a win in seven league games.

Sergi, winner of three league titles and two Copa de Rey crowns in his playing days at Camp Nou, has previous coaching experience with Barca’s youth teams and Recreativo Huelva, where he spent two years before resigning in May last year.