The Espanyol board took the decision in the wake of Sunday's 4-0 loss at Malaga, a result which left the Catalan club in 18th spot in the standings, five points adrift of 17th-placed Numancia and safety.

Espanyol's current position is one place lower than when Mane took over at the start of December as the replacement for the sacked Bartolome Marquez.

Mane was given a contract until the end of the season but the former Alaves, Real Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao coach was unable to turn things around and he leaves with a record of one win, three draws and four defeats from his eight competitive games in charge.

That solitary victory came against Segunda Division B side Polideportivo Ejido in last week's Copa del Rey last 16 second leg, setting up a quarter-final showdown against local rivals Barcelona, the first leg of which will be played tomorrow night.

Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino, the former Espanyol player, will reportedly be in charge for the match against Barca.