Alaves manager Mauricio Pellegrino confirms departure days after losing Copa del Rey final to Barcelona

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Argentinian manager Mauricio Pellegrino has announced he is leaving Copa del Rey finalist Alaves.

Pellegrino made the announcement on Monday, two days after Alaves lost the final 3-1 to Barcelona at the Vicente Calderon.

The 45-year-old said on Monday: 'I want to announce that I'm not going to be here next season. We've been talking about it for some time, but we decided it was best to wait to say it until after the final.

Mauricio Pellegrino has announced he is leaving Copa del Rey finalist Alaves after one season

'I've been very happy as coach here. When I came I wanted to get off my chest my time here as a player, and hopefully we've done that.

'I want to thank everybody at the club for their help, and especially the players who have helped put Alaves where they deserve to be. It's a team that I'm sure is going to continue achieving their objectives.' 

Pellegrino suggests the decision was made before the weekend's Copa del Rey final defeat

The former defender leaves after only one season at the team's helm after taking over from Jose Bordalas, who had led them to the Segunda Division title, on a one-year deal.

Alaves, the Basque Country club promoted to Spain's top flight this season after 10 years in the lower divisions, finished ninth in La Liga and a full 24 points clear of the relegation zone.

The club has yet to announce Pellegrino's replacement.