Sevilla have announced that they have sacked head coach Jorge Sampaoli ahead of next month's Europa League quarter-final against Manchester United.
The Spanish side, who last faced United in August 2020, made the decision to dismiss the 63-year-old following Sunday's 2-0 defeat by Getafe. That marked a fifth defeat in their last seven matches in all competitions.
Sevilla, who progressed to the last-eight of the Europa League with a 2-1 aggregate triumph over Turkish outfit Fenerbahce last week, are experiencing a difficult campaign this time around, currently finding themselves just two points above the La Liga relegation zone. They have won just two of their last seven league matches.
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Sampaoli, who previously managed the Argentine national team, only returned to Sevilla for a second spell in charge back in October. He previously managed the six-time Europa League winners between June 2016 and May 2017.
His most recent spell in charge of the Spanish club saw him take charge of 31 matches, of which he won 13, drew six and lost 12.
With the club dangerously close to the relegation zone and risking the prospect of relegation for the first time since 2000, they have decided to make a change. The club has confirmed that they are 'already working on recruiting a new coach as soon as possible'.
The Spanish outfit will visit Old Trafford for the first-leg of their Europa League quarter-final showdown with United on Thursday, April 13, ahead of welcoming Erik ten Hag's side to the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium the following Thursday.
United progressed to the last-eight of the competition with a 5-1 aggregate win over Sevilla's Seville rivals, Real Betis, in the last round. United also faced Spanish opposition in the form of Barcelona and Real Sociedad earlier in the competition.
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