Irureta ends seven 'magnificent' years at Coruna by mututal consent

Javier Irureta, seen here in 2004, has left his post as coach of Deportivo La Coruna by mutual consent

Javier Irureta has left his post as coach of Deportivo La Coruna by mutual consent, the Spanish club's president Augusto Cesar Lendoiro announced.

Despite seven years of almost unqualified success 57-year-old Irureta paid the price for a disappointing season last term where a final eighth place left Coruna needing to qualify for the UEFA Cup through the Intertoto Cup.

"It is a joint decision by both parties," said Lendoiro.

Irureta was gracious in his parting speech.

"Now is not the time for being bitter," said Irureta, who guided the previously unfashionable Galician club to the league title in 2000, the 2002 Spanish Cup, two Spanish Super Cups and the Champions League on five occasions including the 2004 semi-finals.

"I have spent seven magnificent years here and leave a satisfied and contented man."

While Lendoiro claimed he did not have a ready-made successor for Irureta - who previously had been at Coruna's Galician rivals Celta Vigo - press reports say that former Athletic Bilbao coach Ernest Valverde, ex-Real Madrid boss Vicente del Bosque and Sevilla handler Joaquin Caparros are the likeliest candidates.