MADRID (AFP) - Two pillars of Valencia's team, goalkeeper Santiago Canizares and midfielder David Albelda, have been asked to leave the club, vice president Enrique Lucas said Wednesday.

He said the club's president Juan Soler has been informed of "the necessary decision to get rid of Canizares and Albelda."

"The president has accepted the coach's decision, understanding that every professional life has an end," Lucas said, adding that it was a "painful decision."

On Tuesday, Valencia's new manager Ronald Koeman said he had dropped the two for at least the last two matches of the year, saying he was "thinking about other, younger, players in order to change things."

"These are tough decisions that we have to make for the good of Valencia, which is the most important," the Dutchman said.

"Santi" Canizares, who turned 38 on Tuesday and has 46 caps for Spain, has been at the club since 1998. His contract runs until 2009.

Skipper Albelda, capped 50 times by Spain, is aged 30 and his contract runs until 2011.

Koeman, appointed early last month to replace Quique Sanchez Flores, is under contract until 2010.

Valencia, Spanish champions 2004, are currently 7th in the league. They have been eliminated from all European competitions after finishing bottom of their Champions League group.