SEVILLE, Spain (AFP) - Struggling Real Betis have sacked their coach Luis Fernandez, the club announced after an emergency directors' meeting on Sunday.
The Spanish-born former French international was dismissed after Betis crashed 5-0 at home to Osasuna on Saturday, a result that means they could still be relegated.
Fernandez, who had previously coached Spanish clubs Athletic Bilbao and Espanyol as well as Paris St Germain, was appointed coach at the end of December 2006.
He replaced former incumbent Javier Irureta with a brief of saving the Seville-based club from relegation.
Initially, things went well for Fernandez.
He steered Betis out of the bottom three with a string of good results, which included a 0-0 draw at league leaders and title favourites Real Madrid.
However, Betis have not won since the start of March.
Betis, who played in last season's Champions League, are now two places and one point above the relegation zone and have not won in their last 12 league outings.
It could still be lucky 13 for Betis as a win at Racing Santander next Sunday will ensure their survival.
Saturday's dismal display provoked violent protests.
With 10 minutes to go and 4-0 down, hundreds of Betis supporters swarmed onto the pitch at the Ruiz de Lopera stadium.
Police dispersed the pitch invasion but, after the match, more supporters tried to storm the directors' box.
Outside the stadium after the game, approximately five hundred Betis supporters had a pitched battle with the police, who discharged baton rounds in response to being pelted with bottles, stones and other objects.
No details were given by police of whether there were any arrests.
Spanish media reports on Sunday said that Fernandez will be replaced for their final game of the season by reserve team coach Paco Chaparro.
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