Guti’s first head coach role away from Real Madrid ended abruptly after Almeria confirmed that he was dismissed following a potentially decisive blow to the automatic promotion hopes of the Segunda side.
Almeria appointed the former Madrid midfielder and youth coach in November and although he kept them in the promotion hunt, the club’s hierarchy lost patience after Alcorcon’s 1-0 home defeat Thursday.
On Thursday after Alcorcon’s 1-0 home defeat the club’s hierarchy lost patience and Almeria appointed the former Madrid midfielder, a youth coach in November although he kept them in the promotion hunt.
Before hiring Guti, who had overseen the assembly of an expensive squad compared to others in Spain’s second tier, club owner Turki Al-Sheik had already fired Oscar Fernandez and Pedro Emanuel this season.
A brief statement read: “Having reached a mutual agreement with the club, Jose Maria Gutierrez stops being our coach.”
“Thank you Jose Maria very much for all of your efforts and dedication to our colors. We wish you every success in your career.”
Almeria had defeated Real Zaragoza between successive home losses at La Romareda last Saturday, but now Thursday’s loss left them five points behind second-placed Real.
To salvage an automatic promotion spot Almeria has seven matches left, otherwise, a play-off place will be the best they can hope for.
