Newly-appointed Villarreal coach dies of a heart attack

Spanish coach Manolo Preciado, who only yesterday was announced as the new Villarreal manager, has died of a heart-attack aged 54.

Preciado had been in charge of Sporting Gijon for six years until he was dismissed in January and he had only yesterday agreed to take over the Villarreal, who were relegated from the Spanish top flight last season.

Sporting Gijon confirmed Preciado’s passing in a statement on their website this morning in news that has caused a huge shock in Spain, with Cesc Fabregas amongst the players that have already posted messages about Preciado on Twitter.

Preciado previously coached Racing Santander, Levante and Murcia after a playing career that included spells with Racing Santander, Linares and Mallorca.

Just over a year ago in April 2011, Preciado was in charge of the Sporting Gijon side that ended Jose Mourinho's nine-year unbeaten home record with victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.