Threatened Murcia turn to Toshack
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Toshack has spent most of his coaching career in Spain
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MADRID, Spain -- Former Real Madrid coach John Toshack is the new man in charge at Murcia after the relegation-threatened Spanish club sacked Joaquin Peiro.
"The club can confirm that the final details have been sorted out and that John Toshack will be the new coach until the end of the season," a Murcia spokesman said.
The 54-year-old Welshman quit his last job at Italian Serie B side Catania in January 2003 following criticism over his team selection by the club president.
Peiro, who at 67 was the oldest coach in the Liga, took charge of Murcia at the beginning of the season following their return to the top flight as second division champions.
But his side has struggled to adjust to the demands of the top flight and are in last place after winning just once in 20 games.
"After thinking the matter over for two days I have taken the decision to dismiss Joaquin Peiro as coach," said club president Jesus Samper.
"It is a sad duty, but it is a result of the circumstances in which the club now finds itself," added Samper.
"Peiro has shown himself to be both a great professional and a great person, but the reality of football has to take precedence.
Toshack, a former Liverpool player, has twice coached Real Madrid in a career that has also taken him to Swansea City, Spain's Real Sociedad and Deportivo Coruna, Turkish side Besiktas, France's Saint Etienne and Sporting Lisbon of Portugal.
