Héctor Cúper parts company with rock-bottom Racing

Racing Santander, in the grip of an institutional crisis caused by the failed takeover by Indian businessman Ali Ahsan Syed, also now finds itself without a coach after Héctor Cúper resigned from the club on Tuesday evening.

"I regret this situation. We weren't able to gain more victories, which would have given us greater tranquility. Given that results have not accompanied us, it is best that we go our separate ways," Cúper said at a press conference. The Argentinean coach refused to give further reasons for his departure, "so as not to worsen the situation of the team."

Cúper, a seasoned coach who had passed through Mallorca, Valencia, Inter Milan, Betis, Parma and the Georgia national team among others, said his farewells at Racing's training ground before heading to the club's headquarters in Santander to finalize his resignation. Juanjo González, sporting coordinator, Fede Castaño, a member of the technical staff and former player Pablo Pinillos will take temporary charge of the team.

Racing is currently in the hands of an interim board, headed by acting president Francisco Pernía, as Syed has not appeared at the club since failing to make good on payments to staff and the regional government of Cantabria. Pernía has called for legal action to be launched against Syed after Racing was placed in the hands of administrators. To make matters worse, another major shareholder, Dimitri Pieterman, is in the USA and Pernía himself is in Brazil trying to drum up investment.

Therefore, no talks over a new coach will take place until a scheduled board meeting next month. Meanwhile, Racing is rock bottom of La Liga, having won just once in 13 games. González said on Wednesday that some names had been bandied about as a replacement for Cúper but that it was still "too soon" to decide.

Racing hosts Villarreal at the weekend before a trip to Bilbao and a King's Cup tie against Rayo, which lost 4-0 to Barça in a rescheduled league match at Camp Nou on Tuesday.