Valeron: Depor will be back

Deportivo La Coruna's Juan Carlos Valeron set his sights on an immediate return to the Primera Division following their final-day relegation.

Depor, who are the only side other than Barcelona, Real Madrid and Valencia to have been crowned Spanish champions in the last 15 seasons following their title-winning triumph in 2000, saw their 20-year stint in the top flight come to an end after they lost 2-0 at home to Valencia.

That result, combined with Real Zaragoza beating Levante 2-1, left Depor in the third and final relegation spot, a point behind Getafe and Real Mallorca, and they join Almeria and Hercules in slipping through the trap door.

Valeron is hoping their stay in the Segunda Division is only a brief one though, saying after the match: "Next year we will return to the Primera Division because we are going to do things well from the start of the campaign and we will return the team to the place they deserve to be.

"We couldn't do any more than we did but when things don't go your way...what can we do about that?

"The ball just didn't go in even though we've given everything. We're really sorry. Next season we will right the wrongs we have done," added the long-serving 34-year-old.