More Stories

• Villarreal ready for Barcelona

"My decision, however surprising it might appear, is due exclusively to personal reasons," he told a news conference. "Given the state I am in right now I would have damaged the team and the club if I had carried on and I want to go now given that the team is in the middle of the table.

"I don't feel strong enough to face up to this challenge. I prefer another person to take over because the team needs someone who is 100 percent."

Garitano, who played for Zaragoza for six seasons between 1996 and 2002, took charge on January 14 following the sacking of Victor Fernandez.

Club president Eduardo Bandres said Garitano had not been an interim appointment.

Zaragoza were knocked out of the King's Cup after a 4-2 loss against Racing Santander in Garitano's first game in charge but claimed their first league win in 10 outings when they beat Real Murcia 3-1 on Sunday.