Berizzo was given a one-year deal by the Basque club in May, replacing Jose Angel Ziganda, but things have not gone to plan for the Argentinian coach.

Athletic played 14 league games with Berizzo in charge, but has not won since the opening day of the campaign against Leganes and sits third from bottom, three points adrift of safety.

Along with Real Madrid and Barcelona, Athletic is one of just three clubs to have never been relegated from LaLiga, but it faces a real struggle in ensuring that historic run continues beyond the current campaign.

Among its most damaging result this season was the 3-1 home defeat to bitter local rival Real Sociedad at the start of October.

It's 3-0 loss at Levante proved the final straw, with Berizzo being relieved of his duties for the second time in under a year, after he was sacked by Sevilla last December.

Athletic has appointed Gaizka Garitano – the club's reserve team manager – as Berizzo's successor.