Former River Plate player and coach Américo Gallego has left his position as coach of Mexican side UANL Tigres after the team lost 6-1 to CF Pachuca on Wednesday night.

The embarrassing nature of the result hammered the final nail in the coffin of Gallego's time in charge of the San Nicolás based side, as he leaves the team bottom of the Mexican Clausura after five games.

Tigres announced the news on their official website with a statement that read:

"Gallego, in common agreement with the director, has left his position as coach as of today; Carlos Muñoz will take temporary control of the team."

Speaking to Radio Del Plata, Gallego rejected claims that he had resigned from the role.

"The president spoke to me and told me I was no longer the coach of Tigres. I did not resign; only the cowardly ones resign.

"This is a strange situation for me, because my previous jobs have always gone well. But it is necessary to know how to lose."

Gallego, who was the second coach in history to win the Argentine league title with three different teams (River Plate, Independiente and Newell's Old Boys) is certain to be in demand across Latin America, but indicated he would only return to management after he has had some time to recharge his batteries.

"If I return, I am going to return with loaded batteries so I can benefit another team. Sometimes things are complicated, but I always fight. I am the working type," he concluded.