Spanish club Villarreal promoted Javi Calleja to first-team coach on Monday after sacking Fran Escriba following a poor start to the season.

Calleja, who played for Villarreal from 1999-2006, has coached at the club for six years at youth level, taking over Villarreal B at the start of this season.

“Villarreal and Javi Calleja have reached a deal which sees him become the first-team coach of the ‘Yellow’ side for the 2017-18 season,” the club said in a statement.

Escriba was dismissed with Villarreal 14th in the La Liga standings after six games in which they suffered three defeats, including a humiliating 4-0 beating by promoted Getafe on Sunday.