San Sebastian (Spain), Nov 10 (IANS): La Liga club Real Sociedad has named Eusebio Sacristan as its new head coach, replacing the just-fired David Moyes.

Media accounts had pointed to Sacristan as Moyes' likely successor, but the club's decision on Monday to sign the new manager to a two-year contract was a surprise, as most observers expected Real Sociedad to opt for a provisional appointment, reports Efe.

The side has only nine points after 11 matches and sits in 16th place, just two steps above the relegation zone. Those are exactly the same numbers which saw Moyes' predecessor, Jagoba Arasate sacked by the club a year ago to be replaced by the former Manchester United and Everton boss.

Sacristan, 51, won half-a-dozen trophies as a player with Barcelona and is third overall in the number of appearances in La Liga, with 543.

As a coach, he has spent his entire career in the second division, directing Celta Vigo and the Barcelona B squad.

Moyes arrived in San Sebastian with the club in the relegation zone and was able to comfortably steer them to safety last season.

But the summer saw the club fail to make the moves in the transfer market that he had expected, despite the arrival of former Elche forward Jonathas and Armindao Bruna, as well as central defender Diego Reyes, none of whom were players Moyes had asked for.