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Former Liverpool FC assistant manager Pako Ayestaran has been named the new head coach of Liga MX champions Santos Laguna.

The Spaniard was the assistant manager at Liverpool under Rafa Benitez from 2004 to 2007, helping the Reds win both the Champions League and Fa Cup during his time on Merseyside.

Ayestaran had been rumoured to rejoining the coaching staff at Liverpool earlier this year, with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers searching for a new assistant manager, but he insisted he wanted a managerial role so his return never materialised.

The 52-year-old joins Santos Laguna following the departure of Portuguese head coach Pedro Caixinha. Caixinha lead Santos to the 2015 Liga MX Clausura title just two months ago, but following a 2-0 defeat to Club America at home to continue their poor start to the season, only winning one game in five, he decided it was time for a new challenge.

Since he left Liverpool in 2007, Ayestaran has enjoyed a relatively successful career in management, he lead Mexican Ascenso side Estudiantes Tecos to the 2014 Clausura final, and came very close to gaining promotion to the Liga MX, but his side narrowly missed out as they lost on penalties to Universidad de Guadalajara at the final hurdle.

Pako then moved to Israel the following season, taking the reins at Maccabi Tel Aviv. Pako’s debut season was a huge success, orchestrating his new side to the treble, winning the Liga ha’Al, Israeli State Cup and the Toto Cup.

He left the club in June with an impressive 59.4% win rate, taking the role at the Mexican club who currently sit bottom the table in the 2015 Apertura after five games.