In a press release on its official website, Sevilla said: “Sevilla FC and Jose Luis Mendilibar have reached an agreement to make the Basque coach the new captain of the team. He signed a contract to come to the club. June 30 and this afternoon will direct the first training session at Jose Ramon Cisneros Palacios Sports City.”
“Mendilibar’s debut as the new coach will take place this Wednesday, at 01:30 pm (Spanish time) in the press room of the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium,” the statement added.
The Spanish giants sacked captain Jorge Sampaoli earlier this week, as the team struggled to get out of the relegation zone in the La Liga arena. Impressive Europa League form wasn’t enough for the Argentine to keep his seat and the club acted quickly to secure a replacement ahead of the quarter-final first leg against Man United.
Mendilibar’s first match in charge of the team will be a clash in the La Liga arena at Cadiz’s field on April 1. Sevilla then host Celta Vigo in a league match on April 7, before heading to Old Trafford to face Man United in the Europa League quarter-final first leg on April 13. The return leg will take place on April 20.
Mendilibar has extensive experience leading teams in La Liga, managing nearly 450 matches in Spain’s top division during his coaching career. The 62-year-old strategist has had stints at Athletic Bilbao, Levante and Osasuna and his last time in charge of a La Liga team was Alaves from 2021 to 2022. The Spaniard also spent six years at the club. Eibar from 2015 to 2021.
