Lotina appointed Villarreal coach

Struggling Spanish club Villarreal on Monday appointed Miguel Angel Lotina as their new coach in place of sacked Jose Molina.

"Villarreal have reached agreement with Miguel Angel Lotina to coach the first team until the end of the season," the Primera Liga team said in a statement.

Molina was sacked after the club's 1-0 defeat at Levante this weekend left them 17th in the league just above the relegation zone. Villarreal were also eliminated in the pool phase of the Champions League without winning a point.

Lotina, 55, becomes Villarreal's third coach this season after Molina and Juan Carlos Garrido, who was sacked in December.

He previously coached Espanyol and Deportivo La Coruna.