MADRID (REUTERS) - Granada's charismatic coach Juan Antonio Anquela has been sacked, after a poor run left the modest Andalusian club in 17th place in the Spanish Primera Liga with just over half the season played and in danger of relegation.

"The board of Granada CF has this morning sacked coach Juan Antonio Anquela," the club said in a statement on its website on Wednesday.

"The club is working against the clock to hire a new trainer," the statement added, without naming any potential replacement.

Granada appointed Anquela only last June, the 55-year-old's first top-flight job after guiding tiny Alcorcon out of the third tier to the brink of La Liga, where they fell to Valladolid in a promotion play-off last season.

Granada returned to La Liga in 2011 and narrowly avoided the drop last term when they finished 17th, one place above the relegation zone.

Their next game is at home to champions Real Madrid on Saturday.