Chargers fire defensive co-ordinator Cottrell

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The San Diego Chargers fired defensive co-ordinator Ted Cottrell on Tuesday after going nine quarters without a sack or interception.

Inside linebackers coach Ron Rivera had been promoted to replace Cottrell in the wake of Sunday's 37-32 defeat to New Orleans in London, the team said.

Chargers head coach Norv Turner, whose team are 3-5 and have a bye this week, said he wanted to see a quick improvement in his team's defense.

"There are a lot of things that went into the decision," Turner told the team's website (www.chargers.com). "There are areas that we just have to play better and we have to improve.

"Over the next 10 days those are the areas that we are going to address. Hopefully we can not only show improvement right away but continue to improve over the next eight games."

Rivera spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears before joining San Diego last season.

(Reporting by Simon Evans in Miami; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)