Currently lying second from bottom in the table with just 23 points, having scored only 20 goals in 26 games and after 13 defeats and only 5 victories, Lucas Alcaraz has been sacked as boss of Real Murcia.

His replacement will be former Spain coach Javier Clemente (main photo) whose job coaching the Iranian national side recently fell through owing to the Basque coach's reluctance to move to Tehran on a full-time basis.

Clemente, who coached Spain between 1992-1998 and who achieved domestic league and cup success with Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid, was sacked as Serbian national coach at the end of last season after failing to steer them to this summer's Euro 2008 finals.

It is possible that Clemente will be installed in time for him to take the reins for this weekend's home game against Getafe at the La Nueva Condomina stadium.

The news was announced by club president Jesús Samper at a press conference yesterday (second photo).