La Liga

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Rafael Benitez must vacate his post.(Bild: APA/AFP/Pau BARRENA)

Spanish first division side Celta Vigo parted company with coach Rafael Benitez on Tuesday.

After the 4-0 defeat against Real Madrid at the weekend, the team are 17th in the table with 24 points from 28 games and are just two points clear of the relegation places. Benitez, who had already coached Real Madrid, Liverpool, Inter Milan and Chelsea, had only been in charge since the start of this season.

His successor is Claudio Giraldez, the former coach of the second team. The 36-year-old Spaniard will be on the bench as coach in charge for the first time in Sunday's away league clash at Sevilla FC.