MADRID, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Guillermo Almada on Thursday announced he was stepping down as coach of Real Oviedo after the club's relegation from La Liga was confirmed two weeks ago.
The 59-year-old joined Oviedo from second-tier Real Valladolid in mid-December, with the newly promoted club sitting bottom of the table after winning just two of its opening 16 league matches.
Almada was the club's third coach of the season after Veljko Paunovic and Luis Carrion were dismissed. Carrion failed to win any of his eight matches in charge.
Although Almada made Oviedo more organized and difficult to beat, his record of four wins, seven draws and 10 defeats from 21 matches underlined the squad's struggle to compete at the top level.
"It's a personal decision," Almada said of his departure, adding that the club had offered him the opportunity to remain in charge in the second division.
"It's been an honor to represent Oviedo. I appreciate the club's interest in continuing and I'm happy they thought of me, but I have made the decision."
Almada said there were "many factors" behind his departure, but insisted the club had a strong future.
"Oviedo has a great future, with a good chance of returning to the First Division. What endures is the institution. There's a deeply rooted fanbase that makes those of us who are part of the club proud," he said, before praising the players' "spectacular commitment and willingness." ■
