Villarreal fires coach Escriba after team's poor start

Villarreal - The announcement comes a day after Villarreal's 4-0 loss at Getafe

Villarreal has fired coach Fran Escriba after the team's disappointing start in the Spanish league. 
The announcement comes a day after Villarreal's 4-0 loss at Getafe, the team's third defeat in six league games. The result left Villarreal in 14th place in the 20-team standings with seven points. 
Villarreal opened with two losses but appeared to be recovering with two wins and a draw. They also won their opening Europa League game, against Astana.
They play their second match at Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday. 
Escriba's assistants also were let go by Villarreal. 
The 52-year-old Escriba is the second top-flight coach to lose his job this season, following the dismissal of Luis Zubeldia by last-place Alaves last week. 
Villarreal said a new coach would be announced shortly.