Miroslav Djukic Fired as Valencia's Coach

Valencia has fired coach Miroslav Djukic a day after a humbling 3-0 loss at Atletico Madrid that left it in the middle of the Spanish league standings.

Djukic said: "I don't share but I respect the decision."

Djukic, who played for Valencia for six years, took over the team this offseason after two impressive seasons at Valladolid.

But the club never found a replacement for scorer Roberto Soldado and a poor run of only two wins in the last nine rounds led to Djukic's downfall.

Youth coach Nico Estevez will take over the team for Thursday's Copa del Rey match against Nastic Tarragona.

Djukic is the third coach to be fired in Spain's top division this season, after Osasuna's Jose Mendilibar and Real Betis' Pepe Mel.