The 2-1 loss means Zaragoza have taken just one point from their last five games and that has left them 17th in the Primera Division standings, with just three wins and 12 points since their promotion in the summer.

If third-bottom Racing Santander beat bottom club Xerez at home tomorrow, then Zaragoza would drop into the relegation zone.

The decision to dismiss Marcelino was taken at a board meeting tonight, after which Zaragoza president Eduardo Bandres held a press conference.

"There are arguments that explain this decision. In the world of football everything is about opinions, but results aren`t, they are incontestable, and they ultimately determine the decisions that are made," he said.

"Of the 16 official games that Real Zaragoza have played this season, we have only won three. The record is even more negative if one looks at the last 11 games. The statistics are very negative."

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Zaragoza, who play Real Madrid in their final game of 2009 at the Bernabeu next weekend, have placed reserve team coach Jose Aurelio Gay in temporary charge of the team as they seek a new manager.

The 44-year-old Marcelino has built a reputation as one of Spain`s brightest young coaches over the last few years at Sporting Gijon, Recreativo Huelva, Racing and Zaragoza.

At local club Sporting he almost guided them into the top flight in the 2003/2004 season when they finished fifth in the Segunda Division, then after taking charge of Recre in 2005 he helped them into the Primera Division as champions in his first season in charge.

The following year Recre defied all expectations by finishing in eighth place in La Liga before Marcelino left to become the new coach of Racing in 2007.

In his one year in Cantabria, Marcelino masterminded arguably the greatest season in the club`s history, leading them to their first-ever Copa del Rey semi-final and a sixth-placed finish in La Liga. That was the first time Racing had finished inside the top eight since the 1930s, and it also earned them a maiden spot in the UEFA Cup in the process.

Marcelino left Racing with the intention of taking over at one of Spanish football's powerhouses, but he ended up becoming coach at a Zaragoza side who had actually been relegated from the Primera Division that season.

Marcelino got Zaragoza back up at the first time of asking, finishing a point behind champions Xerez.

Zaragoza`s form at the start of this season has ended up costing the Asturian his job, though.

The Castilian side started on the right foot, beating fellow promoted side Tenerife 1-0 at home in their opening game of the season, but it has been a disappointing time since then.

The team have only managed to pick up two more wins, both at home against Getafe and Almeria, while they have suffered eight defeats and, ahead of Sunday`s remaining 14th round fixtures, they have conceded the most goals in the division with 29.

Zaragoza were also knocked out of the Copa del Rey at the first hurdle after losing on away goals to fellow Primera Division strugglers Malaga.