Deportivo fire coach Fernandez (updated)

Deportivo la Coruna have sacked coach Victor Fernandez in the wake of the 1-1 draw at home to Cordoba which leaves them locked in a battle to avoid relegation.

Fernandez had confirmed before the game that his job would be at stake should his side fail to win at home to the team which is currently bottom of the La Liga and which had lost their previous nine games.

As it was Deportivo that needed an 87th own goal from Florine Andone to cancel out the goal he had scored to put Cordoba ahead 10 minutes after halftime to leave them with just 28 points from 30 matches this season and with just 25 goals scored all campaign.

"I think it is my last game, I had a call from the club president to confirm that would be the case last Monday. I have tried with all my strength and I am leaving with my head held high," said Fernandez in his post-game press conference.

"It has been very difficult from the start and a battle against everything," added the coach, whose sacking was confirmed by a club press communique shortly afterwards.

That communique confirmed that Deportivo have already got a coach in place to take over from Fernandez and everything points to former Real Madrid and Deportivo midfielder, Victor Sanchez de Amo, whose first game in charge will be a tricky tie away to Real Sociedad on Sunday evening. Endi