Sevilla confirm appointment of new manager ahead of Man Utd clash

Sevilla have confirmed the appointment of Jose Luis Mendilibar as their new manager ahead of their Europa League clash against Manchester United.

The Spanish giants sacked Jorge Sampaoli earlier this week, with the side struggling to steer clear of the La Liga relegation zone.

Their Europa League form was not enough to keep the Argentinian in his job - and the club have acted quickly to secure his replacement ahead of their quarter-final first leg against United.

Mendilibar has plenty of experience of managing in La Liga, taking charge of nearly 450 games in the division throughout his managerial career.

He has had spells at Athletic Bilbao, Levante and Osasuna, with his most recent spell at Alaves between 2021 and 2022. The 62-year-old also spent six years at Eibar between 2015 and 2021.

Sevilla confirm new manager

In a press release on their official website, Sevilla stated: "Sevilla FC and Jose Luis Mendilibar have reached an agreement for the Basque coach to become the new coach of the Nervionense team.

"He signs until June 30 and this afternoon he will direct his first session at the Jose Ramon Cisneros Palacios Sports City.

"The coach has directed a total of 448 games in the First Division among all the teams he has directed, with SD Eibar being where he has extended his stay the longest.

"Mendilibar's presentation as the new coach will be this Wednesday at 1:30pm [Spanish time] in the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan press room."

Mendilibar's first game in charge will be Sevilla's La Liga clash at Cadiz on April 1.

They then host Celta Vigo in league action on April 7, before travelling to Old Trafford to take on United in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on April 13. The reverse fixture then takes place on April 20.