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Real Sociedad sack coach Amorrortu
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTSMADRID, Spain (Reuters) -- Real Sociedad sacked coach Jose Maria Amorrortu because of the side's poor run of form, the Primera Liga club said on Monday. President Miguel Fuentes told a news conference: "In the world of professional football results are valued above all other considerations." Struggling Malaga, meanwhile, have appointed sports director Manuel Hierro as coach to replace Antonio Tapia who was also fired on Monday. Fuentes refused to name a successor at Sociedad but said: "It will be someone from within the club who will take charge till the end of the season." "The results are there for all to see. It was a tough decision but we are on a poor run and we need to change the team dynamic." Media reports are linking youth team coach Gonzalo Arconada with the post. Tapia was sacked by Malaga after a run of nine games without a win left the side at the foot of the table. Hierro, brother of the former Spain and Real Madrid captain Fernando, said: "I am taking on this challenge with the immediate objective being to reverse the club's current run of form. "I have complete confidence in the team and am convinced that we will survive in the Primera Liga for next season. "I am a coach who likes to see his players take risks to earn victories. Although we are in a tight spot I believe one or two wins will set us back on track." Malaga director general Antonio Mendoza defended the decision to appoint the inexperienced Hierro, who will also continue as sports director. "Although he has no experience of coaching in the Primera Liga he has 13 years experience as a player, and brings leadership and motivational qualities," he said. Hierro is a former Malaga player. Tapia, who was promoted from reserve team coach to replace Gregorio Manzano 12 months ago, is one of four top-flight coaches who have been sacked in the last two months. Back at Socieda, Sports director Jose Mari Bakero added: "The coach isn't the only one responsible for the situation we are in. "The players all need to analyse what has happened and look at their own performances as well." Real Sociedad lost 3-1 at Basque rivals Alaves on Sunday, their eighth away defeat of the season, to slip to 15th in the table with 22 points from 21 games. The San Sebastian-based side have the league's worst defensive record with 42 goals conceded. Amorrortu, who replaced Frenchman Raynald Denoueix in June 2004 and led La Real to a 14th-placed finish last season, was the second coach to lose his job on Monday. Iuliano releasedSampdoria have signed defender Mark Iuliano, the Serie A side said on its website on Monday. The former Italy international was released from his contract by Spanish side Real Mallorca after requesting a return to his homeland for family reasons. His first match is expected to be against Treviso on Sunday. Sampdoria currently lie ninth in Serie A on 32 points, 27 behind leaders Juventus. The 32-year-old joined Mallorca from Juventus in January last year, with four Serie A winners medals under his belt. 
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