Getafe have sacked Luis Garcia and named former Romania international Cosmin Contra as the Liga club’s new coach.
#INSERT
type:image
caption:Luis Garcia took over at Getafe in 2011.
END#
Garcia’s exit was expected following Saturday’s 2-0 loss at La Liga’s bottom club Real Betis, a result which left Getafe just one point off the drop zone having not won since Nov. 29.
Contra had been expected to take over at the suburban Madrid outfit next summer, but an official statement released Monday morning confirmed that decision had been moved forward due to the fears of relegation.
“Getafe and Cosmin Contra have reached an agreement in principle for him to be the new coach of the first team, for what remains of the current season and two more campaigns,” the statement said. “The official presentation will take place tomorrow, March 11, at 1 p.m. in the press room at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.”
Contra, 38, played at Getafe between 2005 and 2010 and until last weekend was coach of Romanian club Petrolul Ploiesti, where he won the Cupa Romaniei last season. His previous coaching experience includes spells in charge of Timisoara in his home country and Spanish Segunda B club Fuenlabrada.
Garcia, 41, guided Getafe to 11th and 10th placed finishes in his first two seasons in charge at the Coliseum, but appeared to have lost the faith of the dressing-room in recent times. The Madrileno told a news conference on Monday morning that it was unfortunate his term at the club had ended this way.
“Apart from the last 12 games we have achieved our objectives,” Garcia said in AS. “A door is closing as results dictate. This team needs to stay in the Primera Division. The first two years were very good, we beat Madrid and Barcelona. I thought the cycle was ending this summer, and am a bit annoyed at not being able to see it out. Now hopefully things will change. The team will be saved for sure.”
Getafe president Angel Torres had explained his reasoning for the move on Sunday night when speaking to radio show El Larguero.
“This is the worst run of games in my time as president,” Torres said. “The team are not playing at all. The fans are right to be angry. The players have lost confidence in the coach. The team is broken, we do not defend, we attack badly, nobody likes the system.”
Contra’s first game as Getafe boss should now be at home to fellow strugglers Granada next Friday evening.