Marcelino leaves Racing on a high

Coach Marcelino García has left Real Racing Club Santander after just one season in which he led the team to sixth place in the Primera División and UEFA Cup qualification.

Press conference
The 42-year-old told reporters he has decided to resign in order to pursue his ambition of coaching a Spanish football heavyweight. Speaking at a press conference alongside Racing president Francisco Pernía, Marcelino said: "After a meeting this morning, my technical staff and I chose to stick by our decision not to carry on here as we'd like the chance to manage one of the very top teams in Spain. The season has been a very positive one, but it would have been very difficult to improve on next term."

'No offers'
Marcelino was appointed by Racing last summer following two successful seasons with RC Recreativo de Huelva. He added that he has no concrete plans for the future. "At this moment there have been no talks with, or offers from, any other party." Before Recreativo, Marcelino coached Real Sporting de Gijón, the club he also represented as a player.