The former Fulham boss, who took over at the Spanish club in the summer following their relegation to the Segunda Division, was unable to guide the Basque giants to victory in his first league match in charge last weekend as they slumped to a 2-0 home defeat to Castellon.

That result came after an indifferent pre-season, but the gloom was lifted when a second-half Gerardo penalty earned them a 1-0 victory at Eibar yesterday.

Coleman, who spoke about the "negativity" surrounding the club in the build-up to the match, said after the game: "The big difference (to the Castellon match) is that the other day we had too much pressure - new coaches, new president, high expectations on the team...

"But I am confident in the players that I have, and I knew that sooner or later the first win would arrive.

"I was not worried, despite not having won in pre-season. I knew that it would be a question of time.

"The team has played this game with a fighting spirit, and although the football has not been great, on this ground it is difficult, because your opponents do not give you anything."