Sampaoli sacked by relegation-threatened Sevilla as second spell is cut short
The number of games in LaLiga are very clear. But Sevilla are worried about other numbers as well, those of financial fair play, in order to be able to pay Sampaoli and his extensive coaching staff (Jorge Desio, Diogo Meschine and Pablo Fernandez), while at the same time recruiting his replacement.
He arrived in October 2022, he signed until June 2024. Now, as expected, he wants to collect his entire contract salary, which would cost the Andalusian club approximately 10 million euros. An unaffordable amount for a club that already had to pay compensation to Julen Lopetegui, who is now in charge of Wolves.
"Following (the) defeat at Getafe, which leaves the side just above the relegation zone, the club have decided to part ways with the Argentine coach ahead of the international break," Sevilla said in a statement.
"Sampaoli will no longer lead today's training session... while the club is already working on recruiting a new coach as soon as possible."
This second spell with the Argentine has not been as positive as when he took over in 2016/17 and led the team to fourth place in LaLiga and the last 16 of the Champions League. In the current campaign, he took over in matchday eight with the team just one point above the relegation zone. 19 games later, the Sevillistas have not improved in domestic competition.
They are 14th, but level on 28 points with Cadiz and Valladolid, one ahead of Espanyol, and two ahead of Valencia and Almeria, who are second-bottom and second-bottom respectively. Elche, who also sacked Pablo Machin (47) on Monday, round out the table with just 13 points and are seemingly out of the running to survive.
Alive in Europe
Curiously, all the hardship they are suffering in LaLiga has been eased by Sampaoli and his players in the Europa League. Sevilla are the only Spanish side to have survived the last 16 and will face Manchester United in the quarter-finals.
But the board are not confident that, with the Argentinian on the bench, they can fight to eliminate the English side.
That is why they have taken the decision, provided it is financially possible, to terminate the contract. Jose Luis Mendilibar, who has always been very much to the liking of the sporting director, Monchi, is the one who seems to have the most options. The other well-placed candidate is Jose Bordalas (59). One of them, barring any unexpected surprises, will be chosen.
His debut would come in time for the match against Cadiz, an Andalusian derby that could end in tragedy for the loser.