Mandia leaves Santander
Published 18:51 09/11/09 By Pa Sports
Racing Santander have parted company with coach Juan Carlos Mandia following the team's poor start to the season.
Mandia only took charge of Racing this summer following the resignation of Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz, but he could only guide the Cantabrian side to one win in their opening 10 Primera Division matches.
The final straw for the Racing board was Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao at El Sardinero, a result that left the team 17th in the standings on seven points and with just one point from their five home games.
Racing also lost the away leg of their Copa del Rey fourth-round tie with Segunda Division side Salamanca 1-0 a fortnight ago, and they face the return meeting on Wednesday.
The 42-year-old Mandia, who had penned a one-year contract this summer, had never before coached a top-flight team but he caught Racing's eye after almost leading Hercules to promotion from the Segunda Division last term.
Looking to reach the Primera Division for the first time since 1997, Hercules finished fourth, three points behind Real Zaragoza and Tenerife, who claimed the two promotion spots behind champions Xerez.
