Cuper throws in the towel at Mallorca

Hector Cuper has quit as coach of Real Mallorca following the club's slide to the bottom of the league.

"My resignation was necessary to change the dynamic of the team," Cuper said. "There are 15 games left and 45 points to play for so there is still time to produce the change the team needs."

Mallorca president Vicente Grande said: "I would like to tell the people who are pleased to see him go that we are losing a man who loved Mallorca. His work here has not been judged fairly."

The islanders slipped to the foot of the table on Sunday after a 1-1 draw at home to Getafe extended their winless streak to nine matches.

Cuper, 50, took charge of Mallorca for the second time in November 2004. He replaced Benito Floro. The club spent much of last season in the relegation zone before saving their top-flight status on the final day.

Mallorca made a similarly poor start this season and, despite making several signings in January, results failed to improve.

Cuper was first in charge of Mallorca between 1997 and 1999, taking them to the final of the King's Cup, the final of the Cup Winners' Cup and a club record third-place finish in the league.

He moved to Valencia in 1999 following the departure of Claudio Ranieri and took a side with little pedigree in Europe to two successive Champions League finals, losing to Real Madrid in 2000 and Bayern Munich, on penalties, a year later.

Cuper then replaced Marco Tardelli at Inter in 2001 and almost won the Serie A title the following season, falling at the final hurdle by losing the last match to Lazio.

Inter finished second again in 2003 but Cuper was sacked in October the same year.