Atletico Madrid coach Abel Resino insists he has nothing against the Primera Division club despite being sacked.

Resino paid the price for a terrible start to the season which has seen the Rojiblancos claim just one win in 10 matches.

Wednesday's 4-0 drubbing at Chelsea, which left Atletico with little chance of progressing to the knockout stages of the Champions League, was the last straw for the club board.

Speculation was rife yesterday that Resino was on his way out and, together with sporting director Garcia Pitarch - the former Atletico goalkeeper who spent 11 seasons between the posts at the club - he confirmed the decision at a press conference this morning.

"I want to thank the Atletico Madrid fans for their support since I arrived on the bench," Resino said.

"I have been at this club many times, I have left and I have returned, so I have to give every thanks to all the employees, to the players, for what they tried to do but didn't work, and to the club for having had confidence in me.

"I wish all the luck in the world to the club because as I am leaving this seat I am now just another Rojiblanco and I hope the team moves upwards."

Resino took over in February, initially until the end of last season, following the dismissal of Javier Aguirre.

He led Atletico to a fourth-placed finish last term after winning eight of their final nine games and that earned the 49-year-old an extended stint in the hotseat.

Atletico have not been able to carry that form into this season though, and a 3-0 opening day defeat to Malaga warned of troubled times ahead.

Since then, the nine-times Spanish champions have suffered further heavy losses to Barcelona (5-2) and Osasuna (3-0) in the league, and also incurred the wrath of their increasingly disgruntled fans following disappointing home draws against Racing Santander, Almeria and Apoel Nicosia.

Resino leaves Atletico in 15th place in the league with six points and the worst goals-against record in the division having conceded 17, but is confident his successor can turn things around.

He added: "The one who has given everything they have is not obliged to give more. I have a calm conscience for having tried.

"It's about reversing this situation. A pair of results will change everything. The team's way of playing does not correspond with the results we have been getting.

"I am Atletico and I want to continue supporting this club so that it continues growing or, even better, establishes itself at the top."

Despite Resino's apparent calm at the news there was some controversy about the manner of his sacking.

Reports suggest the news should have emerged yesterday but Pitarch could not get in touch with his coach.

When asked about this Resino replied: "As far as I know Suso (Pitarch) did not call me during the whole day. The phone was blocked with calls and I put it onto silent.

"When I saw Suso's call at night, I called him in the morning."

Pitarch also angrily responded, saying: "I said that I called Abel, but not in the morning. I said that I could not talk to him yesterday and the day has 24 hours, I only want to point that out."

Resino's technical staff will be in charge for Saturday's visit of Real Mallorca.

Former Benfica and Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores is favourite to take over the reins on a permanent basis.