Football
Adriana Garcia 6y

Las Palmas appoint Paco Jemez as Pako Ayestaran's successor

La Liga strugglers Las Palmas have appointed Paco Jemez as their new coach. 

Las Palmas had been without a coach since they sacked Pako Ayestaran on Nov. 30.

A club statement read: "UD Las Palmas have reached an agreement with coach Paco Jemez to take over the team until the end of the season. Jemez will be unveiled on Dec. 27."

It will be Jemez's second stint at Las Palmas, having guided the Canary Islands-based outfit in the 2010-11 campaign.

Jemez, who left Mexican side Cruz Azul after one season in charge earlier this month, was the main candidate to replace Ayestaran but initially turned down the offer.

Las Palmas were hopeful of handing the reins to Jorge Almiron, who left Lanus earlier this month, but he did not have his coaching licence approved by the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

However, the 47-year-old Jemez reconsidered and says he is ready for the challenge.

The former Rayo Vallecano coach told Onda Cero: "I've meditated and taken the decision for some time now. I'm going to the island with my philosophy because at this stage of my life, I'm not going to change. Las Palmas has enormous potential and defects that we need to work on."

Las Palmas ended the year with a 2-0 defeat at Getafe on Wednesday and sit at the foot of the La Liga standings with 11 points from 17 games.

Jemez's first game in charge will be a Copa del Rey round-of-16 first leg against Valencia on Jan. 3.

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