Almeria sack manager Juan Ignacio Martinez after La Liga defeat to Levante

Sunday 5 April 2015 20:19, UK

Almeria have sacked coach Juan Ignacio Martinez after they slipped into the La Liga relegation places following Saturday's 4-1 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Levante.

Youth coach Miguel Rivera will take charge of the first team while a replacement for Martinez is sought, with his first assignment being a trip to Barcelona on Wednesday night.

Martinez, who is known in Spain as JIM and has also had stints in charge at clubs including Levante and Real Valladolid, was only in charge at Almeria for 14 matches after being appointed in December.

The 50-year-old is the seventh La Liga coach to be fired this season.

Watch Barcelona v Almeria live on Sky Sports 5 from 6.55pm on Wednesday.