Aguirre hails team effort

Real Zaragoza coach Javier Aguirre praised his side's players and supporters following their last-day escape from relegation.

Zaragoza went into their clash at Levante lying in the final relegation place and a point adrift of safety, but two fine goals from captain Gabi earned them a 2-1 victory and another season in the top flight.

Aguirre, who took over from the sacked Jose Aurelio Gay in November after Zaragoza had won just one of their opening 11 league matches, said: "I'm very happy with the players and very grateful to the fans. I got on a boat that was on rough seas and the players are the main stars.

"This team was destined to suffer throughout the season. There was a good group when I arrived but we were so isolated, far from safety, which we rowed towards and in the last game we achieved safety.''

Zaragoza were roared on by close to 10,000 of their own supporters who had made their way down to Valencia for the crucial match, and Aguirre added: "To the fans I only have words of thanks for those who came and those who stayed (in Zaragoza). Hopefully they will have a team in the Primera Division for many years.''

Whether Aguirre will be in charge to try and achieve that goal remains to be seen, with the Mexican coach saying in AS: "My contract ends on June 30, I've spent eight years in the Spanish league and I've always signed my contracts year by year because I think it's the fairest way.

"After this week we will talk, we will see what the intentions of the club are and I will talk with my wife and my children. I'm happy here but in football you never know.''