Jose Luis Mendilibar sacked by Sevilla

The veteran Spanish boss was only handed the reins in March, becoming Sevilla's third boss of 2022-23 after the departures of Julen Lopetegui and Jorge Sampaoli.

Despite their domestic struggles, Mendilibar was able to instigate one of the most famous endings to a season in the club's history, guiding the club to what felt like an unlikely Europa League crown.

Sevilla overcame Manchester United and Juventus in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively before edging out Roma in the final on penalties.

As a result, Los Nervionenses qualified for the Champions League, despite their 12th-placed finish in Spain's top flight, and the hope had been that Mendilibar would spearhead a new era.

Instead, Sevilla have collected just eight points from as many matches in La Liga, seeing them enter the latest international break in 14th position in the standings.

Their solitary two wins have come at home to Las Palmas and Almeria, while they have begun their Champions League campaign with draws versus Lens and PSV Eindhoven.

After another draw with Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, the Sevilla board have opted to remove the 62-year-old from his position in the dugout.

A club statement read: "Following a meeting of the Club's Management Committee, Sevilla FC have decided to relieve Jose Luis Mendilibar of his duties as the club's head coach following the results at the start of the season.

"The club would like to thank the Basque coach for his services, whose role will go down in the Club's history after winning the UEFA Europa League in Budapest, the seventh time the club has won the tournament.

"Jose Luis Mendilibar was in the dugout for 28 official matches. This season, he has a record of two wins, five draws and four defeats. In the 2022/23 season, since taking charge of the team, he accumulated eight wins, six draws and three defeats between LaLiga and the Europa League.

"Sevilla FC wishes Jose Luis Mendilibar the best of luck for the future."

A report in Estadio Deportivo claims that former Watford, Valencia and Leeds United boss Javi Gracia is among the favourites to take over at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.