After the sacking of José Luis Mendilibar, the Sevilla hierarchy opted for the surprise appointment of former Uruguay manager Diego Alonso. Alonso was always a risk given his lack of experience in Europe, having previously only managed MLS side Inter Miami and Mexican clubs Monterrey and Pachuca. The former Valencia and Atlético Madrid player hardly helped his reputation while at Uruguay, now managed by Marcelo Bielsa, as they failed to make it out of the group stages at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, earning just one point against South Korea.
However, Sevilla took the risk, which has so far not paid off. There was a hope that Alonso would bring with him a ‘new manager bounce,’ but he has now set an unwanted club record of becoming the first new manager to go six league games without a win, with five draws and a loss. His tenure started well, and there was cause for optimism as the team earned an impressive point at home to Real Madrid, where they could easily have snatched a victory. However, their form from that point on has only been downhill, with their only victory coming in a Copa del Rey game against Quintanar, who are in the third division of Spanish football. The Champions League has hardly been any better as the club is out of the Champions League bottom of their group with just two points, and only a win against Lens will earn them a spot in the last 32 of the Europa League.
However, AS are reporting that there are no current plans to sack the manager as he continues to have their support for now. What is certain is that results will have to improve very soon with an easier run into Christmas, as they are set to face Mallorca, Getafe, and Granada.
GSFN | Finn Entwistle
