Astrada forced out at River Plate

Leonardo Astrada was forced out as River Plate coach on Monday, a day after the club drew 0-0 at last-place Atletico Tucuman to drop to 17th in the 20-team Argentine league.

Under pressure from club president Daniel Passarella, Astrada confirmed he had resigned with River on only 13 points from 14 games. River is winless in its last five matches, its most recent victory coming against Huracan on March 14.

Abel Alves resigned as coach of next-to-last Boca Juniors - another giant of Argentine football - on Friday.

River Plate has won more league titles than any other club in the country, but it's now going through one of the worst stretches in its history and has played 465 minutes without scoring a goal.

"These are decisions the club management makes and one has to accept them," Astrada said in an interview on radio La Red.

Ramon Diaz and Angel Cappa have been mentioned as possible replacements. Diaz is a former River coach, the most successful in the club's history. Two other names being mentioned are Alejandro Sabella and Ricardo La Volpe.

Astrada took over as coach in October 2009, replacing Nestor Gorosito. It was Astrada's second stint with the team. He also coached River in 2004-05.