José Luis Mendilibar replaces Jorge Sampaoli as Sevilla FC coach
La Liga side Sevilla FC named Jose Luis Mendilibar as their new coach until the end of the season, replacing Jorge Sampaoli in the dugout at the Ramon Sánchez-Pizjuán.
Sampaoli, who only took over from Julen Lopetegui back in October 2022, was relieved of his duties on Monday with the Andalusians sitting 14th in the league, just two points clear of the relegation zone with 12 matches left.
“Following the defeat at Getafe, which leaves the side just above the relegation zone, the club has decided to part ways with the Argentine coach ahead of the international break,” Sevilla had said in a statement. “The image shown the team in these last matches has led the club to make this decision, in hopes that it can recover in the last 12 rounds of the Spanish league.”
Mendilibar coached SD Eibar for six seasons (2015-2021) during their seven-season stay in Spain’s top flight and to an all-time high finish of 9th in 2017/18. He also won the Miguel Muñoz Trophy for the best manager in La Liga in 2017 and most recently coached Deportivo Alavés.
He takes over a Sevilla FC side in huge need of a positive boost between now and the end of the season, having won just once in their last five matches. His first match in charge will be an Andalusian der, a short trip south to face fellow relegation battlers Cádiz CF on Saturday April 1.
