Former Dutch international Ronald Koeman was dismissed as coach of relegation-threatened Valencia last night and replaced by Salvador Gonzalez 'Voro'.

Valencia's 5-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday left the team two points above the drop zone.

Koeman signed a two-and-a-half year contract at the beginning of November following the sacking of Quique Sanchez Flores. Valencia were then fourth in the table, four points behind leaders Real Madrid.

Valencia said on their website ( www.valenciafc.es) that a meeting at the club yesterday had sealed the departure of Koeman and his assistants Jose Mari Bakero, Toni Bruins Slot and sporting director Miguel Angel Ruiz.

Voro, a former player at Valencia and Deportivo Coruna, takes charge of the team to the end of the season.

"Ronald Koeman has had his contract rescinded by mutual agreement," the club said. "Voro has been appointed coach with total freedom to do what he thinks needs to be done to take the club forward in these last five matches with the 25 first team players," it added.

Koeman has appeared an increasingly isolated figure at Valencia in recent weeks but guided his side to a 3-1 victory over Getafe in the King's Cup final last Wednesday.

He dropped several of the club's most influential players soon after taking charge.

With the support of majority shareholder Juan Soler, Koeman sidelined captain David Albelda, goalkeeper Santiago Canizares and winger Miguel Angel Angulo, making clear none of them would play in the first team again this season.

But the team went into freefall, winning four and drawing six of the 22 games while the Dutchman was in charge.