Coach of Atletico Junior receives anonymous death threats

Atletico Junior's coach acknowledged Tuesday that he received an anonymous death threat on his cell phone, two days after being punched by a fan during training.

Photo: Coach of Atletico Junior receives anonymous death threats

Luis Grau admitted getting the phone call shortly after midnight on Monday, when arriving at his home in the coastal city of Barranquilla, where Junior is based.

Junior has lost five of its last seven and has fallen to 10th in the 18-team Copa Mustang II league.

Fans have been demanding Grau be replaced by bushy-haired former national team hero Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama.

After a long playing career that included several years in the United States, Valderrama joined Junior as an assistant coach at the start of the season.

Call for Grau's removal intensified following Junior's 2-1 loss Oct. 7 against Tolima - its fourth defeat in five matches.

On Sunday, Grau was punched in the left eye by an outraged fan following the team's training session. Police are investigating whether the incident is linked to the death threat.