Real Sociedad dismiss Amorrortu
Monday, January 30, 2006
Article summary
Real Sociedad de Fútbol have sacked coach José Mari Amorrortu after a derby defeat left the Basque club four points off the relegation places in Spain.
Article body
Alavés woe
The decision to part company with Amorrortu comes in the wake of Real Sociedad's eighth away loss of the season, inflicted by an Alavés side rooted in the bottom three. The 53-year-old was in his second campaign at the Anoeta stadium, having replaced Raynald Denoueix in June 2004 and led the side to 14th position last term.
Gabilondo blow
There is more bad news for the San Sebastian-based team with midfielder Igor Gabilondo being sidelined for up to four weeks after sustaining a thigh injury against Alavés, joining Darko Kovacević and Jérémie Bréchet on the treatment table.
Loan signings
On the plus side, the club are signing Colombian international midfielder John Viáfara and Chile winger Mark González on loan for the remainder of the campaign from Premiership teams. The 27-year-old Viáfara arrives from Portsmouth FC, where he has made 14 league appearances this term. González, 21, joins from Liverpool FC, although he has been on loan at Albacete Balompié this season due to problems getting a UK work permit.