Villarreal manager Preciado passes away

Madrid, June 7 (IANS): Newly-appointed Villarreal manager Manolo Preciado passed away in the early hours of Thursday after he suffered a stroke. He was 54.

Preciado, who spent six years in charge of Sporting Gijon, had only just agreed to take over as Villarreal’s new boss and his first press conference was scheduled for Friday.

“The coach Manuel Preciado died overnight in Valencia as a result of a heart attack. The Cantabrian, who had been chosen by Villarreal to lead next season’s project, was 54 years old,” Villarreal said in a statement.

“Villarreal want to express their deepest sorrow at the sad loss and want to offer their condolences to his family and all his relatives,” he said.