Real Valladolid's then Spanish coach Jose Rojo "Pacheta" reacts during the Spanish league football match between Real Sociedad and Real Valladolid FC at the Reale Arena stadium in San Sebastian, on Feb 5, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

MADRID - La Liga strugglers Valladolid became the second top-flight side to sack their coach on Monday when they parted company with Jose Rojo "Pacheta", after Espanyol sacked coach Diego Martinez on the same day as a run of poor results left them in clear danger of relegation.

"Jose Rojo 'Pacheta' will not continue at Real Valladolid. The violet and whites recognize the important trajectory of the coach and the role that he has carried out with the club since his arrival, but, with the only aim of remaining in the highest division at the end of the season, this decision has been taken," the club said in a statement.

Pacheta's sacking came after Valladolid were thumped 6-0 by Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday afternoon in a display where their defense fell apart in the first half, allowing Karim Benzema to score a hat-trick in just seven minutes.

Espanyol's then head coach Diego Martinez reacts during a Spanish La Liga soccer derby match between Barcelona and Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on Dec 31, 2022. (PHOTO / AP)

Pacheta led Valladolid to promotion from the second division last season and the club performed well in the first half of the season. But recent weeks have seen their performances drop away.

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The sacking of Jose Rojo "Pacheta" came after Valladolid were thumped 6-0 by Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday afternoon in a display where their defense fell apart in the first half, allowing Karim Benzema to score a hat-trick in just seven minutes

They were beaten 3-1 at home by Athletic Club Bilbao before the international break and their last win was on March 5 against fellow strugglers Espanyol.

Meanwhile, Martinez, who was in his first season at the Barcelona based outfit, lost his job after four consecutive defeats sent his team, with 27 points from 27 matches, to the verge of the relegation zone.

Saturday saw Espanyol slip to a 2-1 defeat away to Girona in a Catalan derby, which was the catalyst for the club to sack Martinez.

The former Granada and Sevilla-B team coach, arrived at Espanyol last summer after leading Granada to LaLiga and qualifying them for Europe at his time at the club, but Espanyol have struggled all season, relying heavily on the 12 goals scored by Spain international striker Joselu.

"I respect, but I don't share the posture of the club," said Martinez in a press conference on Monday.

"I am very proud of this group of players and of having coached Espanyol and I am grateful for anyone who has ever applauded or criticized from the heart," he added.

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Espanyol are expected to name former player Luis Garcia as Martinez's replacement until the end of the season.