Sevilla sack Pablo Machín after Europa League exit, Caparrós returns
Pablo Machín has paid the price for Sevilla's Europa League elimination, having his tenure cut short as Joaquín Caparrós steps in again.
Sevilla have sacked coach Pablo Machín following Thursday's shock Europa League exit to Slavia Prague, the club have announced.
Less than a year in the job
Machín was only hired as the full-time successor to Vincenzo Montella last May and he initially looked to be a good fit after impressing with Girona, but the team's form has nosedived in recent months, culminating in the end of their European campaign at the last-16 stage on Thursday. Sevilla were held to a 2-2 draw at home last week by Slavia, before the second leg finished with the same score after 90 minutes. Franco Vázquez put the Spaniards ahead in extra-time, but Mick van Buren levelled before Ibrahim Traore struck a minute from the end to spark mayhem among the home fans in Prague, with Friday's draw setting up a tie against Chelsea in the quarter-finals.
Slump in LaLiga
Although elimination from the competition which Sevilla have won five times ultimately brought Machín's downfall, it is their LaLiga form that has been most alarming. A run of just three wins in 14 league games has seen Sevilla's season transform from an unlikely title challenge to a scrap for Europa League qualification, and Machín departs with the club five points behind fourth-placed Getafe.
Caparrós back for the third time
Sporting director Joaquín Caparrós is to take the reins for the remainder of the campaign, as he did at the end of last season following Montella's dismissal, with former Sevilla, Valencia and Spain defender Carlos Marchena assisting him. The first match of Caparrós' third spell in charge will be at Espanyol on Sunday.