Marcelino Garcia Toral has been sacked as Sevilla coach after a run which has left the club just four points above the Primera Liga drop zone.

Marcelino was only handed the managerial reins in the summer of 2011, succeeding Gregorio Manzano in the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan hotseat.

He was, however, able to pick up just four wins during his tenure and leaves Sevilla with the club sat 11th in the table, four points above the drop zone.

A statement released on the club's official website on Monday read: "Sevilla have taken the decision this morning to dismiss the first team coach Marcelino Garcia Toral owing to the negative run of results by the team, with seven matches without a victory, during which time only two points have been won.

"The decision was taken after the president, Jose Maria del Nido, and sporting director Ramon Rodriguez Monchi met with the coach to evaluate the sporting situation. Soon after the meeting Monchi communicated to the coach the decision taken.

"Sevilla want to publicly thank Marcelino for his professionalism and work, and regret having to have taken a drastic decision due to the results."

Marcelino was handed a one-year deal last summer and charged with the task of bettering the club's fifth-place finish from 2010/11.

He saw Sevilla start slowly, though, and was unable to guide them past Hannover in the Europa League play-offs.

Having been ushered through the exits, reports in Spain suggest former Getafe coach Michel is the early favourite to replace Marcelino.