Espanyol have appointed their fourth coach of the season after sacking Abelardo Fernandez on Saturday, with the club sitting bottom of La Liga.

Sporting director Francisco Rufete has been put in charge for the rest of the season and his first game will be on Sunday at home to Real Madrid.

The change is a last throw of the dice for Espanyol, who are eight points adrift of safety with seven games left.

Abelardo took charge in December, replacing Pablo Machin, who had lasted only three months in the job.

David Gallego had started the season as manager but was sacked in October.