MADRID, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Liga Santander strugglers, Sporting Gijon appointed Joan Francesc Ferrer 'Rubi' as the replacement for Fernando Abelardo, a day after Abelardo' s decision to resign as first team coach.
Abelardo resigned on Tuesday with Sporting third from bottom of the table with just 12 points from 18 matches, four points behind 17th place Valencia and five behind Leganes, leaving Rubi with an uphill struggle to avoid relegation to the Liga 123 (second division).
"The situation is difficult, but we have got the team to do it," said Rubi at his presentation, adding that the players would "have to work hard."
Rubi joins Sporting after working with Levante last season and although he was able to save the Valencia based side from the drop, he did lead to an improvement in their play.
"We are in a difficult situation but there is time to save the situation, although we have to start getting points as soon as possible."
"My style of play will have to adapt to the players we have, but today, we have to work at all aspects of the game," added the coach, who will make his debut when Sporting travel to face Betis on Sunday.
