Villarreal hires Jose Molina as manager

Villarreal promoted B-team coach Jose Francisco Molina on Thursday to replace the fired Juan Carlos Garrido for the remainder of the Spanish league season. Garrido, who was also promoted from the B team nearly two years ago, was sacked on Wednesday after the club bowed out of the Copa del Rey competition to third-tier Mirandes by a 3-1 aggregate score. Molina joined Villarreal in 2009-10, when he coached the C team. The former Spain goalkeeper enjoyed a 14-year playing career where he won a combined five titles with Atletico Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna. The 41-year-old also played for Valencia, Levante and Villarreal. Villarreal said former Lyon coach Claude Puel was also considered before it decided to stay with an in-house coach. Villarreal's season unraveled from its 5-0 opening round loss to Barcelona, with injuries to top strikers Giuseppe Rossi and Nilmar hampering its progress as it exited the Champions League after losing all six group games. ''The Yellow Submarine'' currently sits 17th in the league, hovering above the relegation zone only on goal difference. Molina's first game in charge will be a Jan. 8 regional derby against Valencia at the club's El Madrigal stadium.