Racing Santander have confirmed the appointment of Miguel Angel Portugal as their new coach.

Portugal, who previously coached Racing during the 2006/07 season and led them to a 10th-placed finish, has agreed a contract until June 30, 2011 and replaces Juan Carlos Mandia.

Mandia, having only taken over in the summer, parted company with Racing earlier this month following a poor start to the season which saw the Cantabrian club win just one of their opening ten Primera Division matches.

That poor run left Racing in the bottom four of the standings, while they also lost the first leg of their Copa del Rey fourth round with Segunda Division Salamanca 1-0 under Mandia's reign.

However, in their only match since Mandia's departure Racing avoided cup embarrassment by downing Salamanca 4-1 in their second leg to progress through to the last 16.

Juan Jose Gonzalez and Federico Castanos were in charge for that match, but it is the 53-year-old Portugal who has been handed control now.

Portugal, who will be presented at 1530 local time today, left Racing in 2007 to take up a position as technical secretary with Real Madrid, a post he held until June of this year. Racing play Madrid at the Bernabeu this Saturday.