Madrid  - Troubled Spanish giants Atletico Madrid sacked coach Javier Aguirre, according to Spanish media reports Monday night.

The digital versions of AS and Marca claim that the sacking of Aguirre will be officially announced Tuesday, and that he will be replaced by former Atletico goalkeeper Abel Resino, currently at third division Castellon.

Abel, 49, played for Atletico from 1986-95. He has little top-line coaching experience, though he was assistant to Cesar Ferrando at Atletico during the 2004-05 season.

He will be given a contract until June, to be automatically renewed if he manages to take Atletico - who are currently seventh - back into the Champions League.

Atletico are currently negotiating a compensation deal for Castellon.

The final nail in Aguirre's coffin was Sunday's 2-1 defeat at home to midtable Valladolid. Atletico have not won a game since December.

Aguirre, 50, took over at Atletico in 2006, after four moderately successful years at Osasuna. He managed to win a place in this season's Champions League, in which Atletico will face FC Porto in the round of 16. (dpa)