Julen Lopetegui sacked by Porto after Sporting Lisbon defeat

​Porto have sacked head coach Julen Lopetegui in the wake of a recent defeat to Primeira Liga leaders Sporting Lisbon.

The 49-year-old leaves Porto in third place in the league, level on points with second-placed Benfica and four points behind Lisbon after a 2-0 defeat last weekend.

That loss was Porto's first in the league for almost a year but they were also held to a 1-1 draw by Rio Ave in midweek and failed to make it to the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Former player and assistant coach Rui Barros will oversee an interim period on the Porto bench, the club said in a brief statement.

Lopetegui joined on a three-year-deal in May 2014 after winning the European Under-19's and Under 21's championships with Spain and a spell at the helm of La Liga side Rayo Vallecano.

Former Valencia head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is thought to be one of the front runners for the vacancy.