MADRID, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- La Liga outfit Oviedo sacked coach Veljko Paunovic on Thursday after eight games of the new campaign, despite him having led the club to promotion last season following a 25-year absence from Spain's top flight.

"The coach, who had a contract until June 30, 2026, has from this moment stopped being coach in the club from the Principality," confirmed the club, adding that Paunovic's technical staff were also leaving the club.

Paunovic, 48, becomes the first coach in La Liga to lose their job this season. A former Oviedo player, the Serbian took over as head coach in March with the club's promotion bid failing, and ultimately led the northern side back to La Liga after a tense playoff win against Mirandes.

The club currently sits 17th in the table, with a 2-0 defeat at home to fellow promoted side Levante last Saturday representing a big setback to Oviedo's survival hopes.

"We wish him the best in his future prospects, both personal and professional," concluded Oviedo's statement.

Oviedo's next game is against Espanyol on October 17. ■