End of the line for Julen Lopetegui as Porto sack under-fire coach

Media outlets throughout Portugal and Spain on Thursday evening report that FC Porto have parted company with Julen Lopetegui. 

At midnight no official confirmation had yet been forthcoming, but interviews given by the Spanish coach's father left no doubt that the decision had been made. 

"I think that everything is decided for him to leave," Jose António Lopetegui told Portuguese website Maisfutebol. "Julen accepted the decision to go because he could no longer bear the pressure from the fans. They created a very unpleasant environment."

Lopetegui leaves Porto in third place in the table, four points behind leaders Sporting. In early speculation about his possible successor, André Villas-Boas, Nuno Espírito Santo and Leonardo Jardim have been among the strongest rumours.