Almeria have sacked coach Juan Ignacio Martinez in the wake of Saturday's 4-1 home defeat to Levante.

That loss left Almeria without a win in their last seven matches and lying 18th in the Primera Division standings.

A statement on the club website read: "Almeria have decided to sack Juan Ignacio Martinez as coach of the first team as a consequence of the recent results and the image given by the team, which in this round of matches has returned to the relegation places after losing in emphatic fashion at home to a direct rival."

Martinez took charge in December following the dismissal of Francisco Javier Rodriguez and in his first three matches in the hotseat guided Almeria to three successive wins in the league and Copa del Rey.

However, since then he has managed just two victories in 14 matches, with the most recent of those wins coming against Cordoba on February 8.

B-team coach Miguel Rivera has again been tasked with leading the senior side while a full-time replacement is sought.

Rivera was put in temporary charge when Rodriguez was sacked and suffered a 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in his only outing in the dugout.

Almeria say Rivera will take charge of Monday's training session and could be on the bench for Wednesday's clash with league leaders Barcelona at the Nou Camp.