/world sport
VALENCIA, Spain (AP) -- Valencia have fired coach Ronald Koeman, just five days after the Dutchman led the Spanish Primera Liga club to their seventh Copa Del Rey trophy.
Spanish Cup success has masked a disastrous run in the league under Koeman.
Former Valencia and Spain defender Salvador Gonzalez Marco will replace Koeman for the club's final five league games.
"I go with pride having won an important title like the Copa Del Rey and, I'd like to point out, as we say in my country, that in my time at Valencia I gained an important experience but also lost hope," Koeman said in a statement.
The club said it had come to an agreement with Koeman over his contract, which was due to run through 2010.
Valencia lost 5-1 at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday to leave them with just 18 points from 22 league games under Koeman, who replaced Quique Sanchez Flores in November.
Valencia are 16th in La Liga, two points above 18th placed Recreativo Huelva and relegation.
Koeman enjoyed better luck in the Spanish Cup competition where Valencia beat Getafe 3-1 in the final on Wednesday.
Former president Juan Soler introduced Koeman on November 2 with the expectations he would make Valencia "one of the best clubs in Europe."
Instead, the two-time European Champions League runners-up finished last in their group in this year's competition.
The former Barcelona and Dutch international captain immediately shook up the squad and left out captain David Albelda, goalkeeper Santiago Canizares and fellow Spain player Miguel Angel Angulo.
Valencia were four points behind Spanish leaders Real Madrid when Sanchez Flores was dismissed, but now trail Real by 33 with four wins since the change.
Koeman quit PSV Eindhoven to sign a three-year deal with Valencia, who had to compensate the Dutch club with an "undisclosed sum" since he was under contract through the remainder of the season.
Koeman's first coaching experience came as an assistant with Barcelona before his appointment by Vitesse Arnhem in 2000. He then took charge of Ajax and won two Dutch league crowns during a four-year spell before moving on to Benfica.
His most recent success came last season when he guided PSV to a 20th league title. E-mail to a friend 
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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