Yanal ends Manisaspor stay

Former Turkey coach Ersun Yanal has parted company with relegation-threatened Vestel Manisaspor after their match at home to bottom-side Sakaryaspor was abandoned following crowd disturbances.

'Excellent character'
Going into the game on the back of six successive defeats, and without a win in three-and-a-half months, Manisaspor were drawing 1-1 when the referee called a halt to proceedings just before half-time. Keeper Bülent Ataman, goalkeeping coach Metin Bayındır and match official Cüneyt Çakır were all injured in the mêlée and 45-year-old Yanal immediately handed in his resignation. "We feel really sad because we lost a very good coach with an excellent character," said club president Haluk Çubukçu. "[We] tried to change his mind but he told us he is of no use in this situation."

Loss of form
The decision ends a mixed 18-month spell at Manisaspor for Yanal. Having finished 12th last season, they began the new campaign with a nine-match unbeaten run and were top after two months. Sivasspor finally ended the run with a 3-2 triumph on 20 October, however, and they have won just once since. A return of six points in 15 games has left the Aegean club 14th, just three points above the relegation zone.