Valencia ambassador Mario Kempes sacked after criticising performance against Eibar
Sunday 5 February 2017 11:58, UK
Valencia have sacked World Cup winner Mario Kempes from his ambassadorial role with the club over his criticism of their performance against Eibar.
Kempes, who had been in the role since 2013, has been an outspoken critic of the struggling side for much of the season and continued his stance after the 4-0 home defeat on Saturday.
Live La Liga Football
The defeat, which included a stunning goal from Eibar's Dani Garcia, left Valencia in 19th place in La Liga, albeit still six points above the relegation zone with 18 games remaining.
Their performance provoked a reaction from Kempes on Twitter, when he wrote: "Lamentably this is a team that is utterly lost. There's no style of play, no leadership and very little enthusiasm."
A few hours later, Kempes returned to Twitter and told his followers Valencia had removed him as a club ambassador.
"Today I have officially been informed I am no longer the ambassador of Valencia," he said. "But my sentiments for the club will not change, and I'll keep giving my opinions when I think things are not right."
Valencia are currently under the control of caretaker coach Salvador Gonzalez "Voro", with Pako Ayesteran and Cesare Prandelli having already paid for poor results this season with their jobs.
Kempes is a popular figure among Valencia fans for his role in the team winning their first European trophy, the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1980, as well as the Copa del Rey in 1979.
He had two spells with the club from 1976-1981 and 1982-1984, the first of those spanning the time when he helped Argentina win the 1978 World Cup on home soil.
