La Liga side Sevilla FC have announced the appointment of Argentine coach Matías Almeyda as the club’s new head coach, marking his return to the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium nearly three decades after a brief playing stint during the 1996 and 1997 seasons.
Almeyda, now 51, becomes Sevilla’s eighth head coach in less than three years, highlighting the club’s recent instability. Since Julen Lopetegui’s departure in October 2022, a string of managers, including Jorge Sampaoli and José Luis Mendilibar, who led the team to a Europa League title, have come and gone, none lasting more than a season.
Sevilla’s Struggles Continue
Once a consistent force in European competitions, Sevilla has suffered a dramatic decline in recent years. The club narrowly escaped relegation in the 2024/25 season, finishing 17th in La Liga, just one point clear of the drop zone. The team’s drop from European mainstay to relegation battler has raised concerns about its long-term direction.
Almeyda arrives with a reputation for rebuilding struggling squads. He began his managerial career by guiding River Plate back to the Argentine top flight after their historic relegation. He later won titles with Chivas Guadalajara in Mexico and AEK Athens in Greece, earning praise for instilling discipline and building cohesive, high-energy teams.
A Rebuilder for a Club in Crisis
This will be Almeyda’s first experience managing in one of Europe’s top five leagues, a step up that brings both prestige and pressure. His coaching style, known for its physical intensity and team-first mentality, could offer the foundation Sevilla needs to rebuild.
“It’s a club I know well and a city I never forgot,” Almeyda said in a brief statement. “Sevilla has a proud history, and we’ll work together to restore that identity.”
Club president José Castro expressed complete confidence in Almeyda: “We believe Matías is the right person to lead us into a new era. His track record of transforming teams speaks for itself.”
The 2025/26 season will be a defining one for Sevilla. Avoiding another relegation scare is the immediate priority, but supporters are also hopeful that Almeyda can lay the groundwork for a return to Europe.
While the task ahead is daunting, Almeyda has successfully faced and overcome similar challenges in the past. Now, Sevilla fans will be watching closely to see if history can repeat itself in the form of a long-overdue revival.
