La Liga side Valencia announced the sacking of coach Miroslav Djukic on Monday just six months after the Serbian had taken charge.
Valencia's Serbian coach Miroslav Djukic pictured during the Guinness International Champions Cup match between Valencia and AC Milan at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on July 27, 2013
A 3-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid on Sunday was Valencia's eighth in just 16 league games so far this season, leaving them 10 points off Athletic Bilbao in the fourth Champions League spot.
However, the 47-year-old did guide Los Che into the last 32 of the Europa League where they will face Ukranian side Dynamo Kiev.
"As a professional I don't understand the decision, but I respect it and wish all the best to the president and to all Valencia fans," said Djukic.
Nico Estevez will take temporary charge of the team for Thursday's Copa del Rey fourth round, second-leg against Gimnastic with the tie delicately balanced following a 0-0 draw in the first-leg.
Djukic had been a popular choice amongst supporters when he was appointed in June.
The former central defender enjoyed six-year spell at the Mestalla as a player during which Valencia won La Liga in the 2001-02 season and reached two consecutive Champions League finals in 2000 and 2001.