Sevilla have moved quickly to appoint a new manager before their Europa League showdown with Manchester United next month, with Jose Luis Mendilibar stepping into the dugout.
With a place in the semi-finals at stake, United have been drawn against Spanish opponents for the third stage running after overcoming Barcelona and Real Betis on their way to the last-eight. Sevilla defeated Turkish side Fenerbahce to book their place alongside United in the draw.
Despite guiding Sevilla through to the latter stages of the competition, Jorge Sampaoli paid the price for poor domestic form and was sacked on Tuesday morning. Sampaoli had suffered five defeats in his last seven matches at the helm and has been replaced by Mendilibar.
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Sevilla are currently just two points above the La Liga relegation zone. United boast home advantage for the first leg on Thursday, April 13, and it will be followed by a return meeting in Spain - at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium - on Thursday, April 20.
Mendilibar, 62, has signed a short-term agreement with Sevilla until the end of the season. He counts Athletic Bilbao, Valladolid, Osasuna, Levante and Eibar among his former clubs.
He was most recently in charge of Alaves and the Spaniard's career win rate is 37.8 per cent. Mendilibar took charge of his first training session with Sevilla on Tuesday night as he keeps one eye on the Europa League meeting with United.
Before then, Sevilla have two important La Liga games against Cadiz and Celta Vigo.
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