Just before the collapse, DortmundSevilla signaled a truth that echoed through the club: Julen Lopetegui was stepping into a moment that would shape his legacy. Seated on the bench against a German rival, he faced the inevitable end of his tenure as Sevilla’s coach, a turning point that would force a fresh voice into leadership. Jorge Sampaoli, a coach whose career reads like a case study in resilience, would take the helm in the second phase, setting the stage for a season defined by its hardest moments and its stubborn hopes.
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Jorge Sampaoli, Sevilla’s new manager
This rocky path had been paved by a controversial summer plan that involved the sale of two central defenders, Diego Carlos and Koundé, and a stubborn inertia from the previous campaign. The Basque coach arrived amid a crisis where responsibility was shared by many, yet few could escape the feeling that the team needed a new direction to salvage its season.
Jorge Sampaoli, the new manager of Sevilla FC, became a symbol of imminent change. WeareSevilla
[Sevilla FC], October 6, 2022
Commendable career
Lopetegui will forever be a defining figure in Seville’s football history. His Europa League triumph in the 2019-20 season marked the first international title won at Nervión by a coach who opened the door to an elite era. Sevilla recognized his contribution with a farewell statement that celebrated a career that left a lasting mark. This milestone is just one chapter in Lopetegui’s rich story at the club.
During his tenure, Sevilla added another Europa League trophy and established a period of sustained success in domestic and European competition. His record includes an impressive win ledger and efficiency in the league, with a significant number of victories, draws, and a carefully calculated number of losses across 170 matches in the Sevilla jersey.
On the verge of landing
The season’s turmoil collided with a complex European landscape. The team managed a slim point tally in several group-stage matches, fighting to avoid elimination. A standout win in Dortmund hinted at potential, but the path remained uncertain. The priority appeared to be securing a solid finish that could open doors to continental competition, ideally reinstating a strong presence in European football and reaffirming the club’s ambitions for the season ahead.
Julen Lopetegui, in bidding farewell, spoke of the life poured into Sevilla and the shared memories etched into the club’s walls. The sentiment resonated with fans, who carried forward a sense that a period of great effort and emotion had come to a close. Sevilla’s supporters celebrated the chapter that had built a legacy, even as the team prepared to move forward with a new leadership model.
In the domestic league, Sevilla faced a challenging stretch. The squad battled to translate the club’s prestige into consistent results, and Pizjuán, once known as a fortress, faced the task of regaining its edge. The season’s complexion underscored the club’s willingness to embrace change while honoring the efforts of those who had driven its identity for years.
Always in your heart
Twelve hours after the dismissal, Lopetegui greeted the stadium with a ceremony that reflected his deep connection to Sevilla. He spoke with candor about commitments and memories, making it clear that this moment did not erase the life he had shared with the club. The farewell was less about endings and more about a lasting imprint on the city and its champions. The relationship with Monchi in Madrid, and the storyline that followed, only added to the legend being written around Nervión.
He spoke of being chosen by the club and wished the best for the people who had stood with him. The hope persisted that the team would find a way to reverse the tide, with Lopetegui’s presence lingering in the stands as a symbol of a chapter completed and a future still to be shaped. The fans and players carried forward the memory as a living part of Sevilla’s ongoing story.
Welcome George!
[Sevilla FC] October 6, 2022
sampaoli, at 62, took the reins with a plan to stabilize a squad navigating a difficult season. The new coaching staff included Jorge Desio, Diogo Meschine, and Pablo Fernandez, all brought in to guide a challenging course for the next period. The team would have to balance ambition with realism as they sought to rebuild confidence and momentum. The prior highlights included moments of historical significance, such as a remarkable first round in a previous campaign that demonstrated Sevilla’s potential when everything clicked, even if the current year demanded a different approach.
Sampa’ crazes
Known for his relentless drive, Lopetegui’s methods had already left a mark on the national team and club level alike. After a stint with the Argentina national team, he faced a few battles in consecutive stages of his coaching journey. The new Sevilla chapter promised a familiar intensity, with a coaching team that believed in detailed analysis, relentless preparation, and a culture of accountability. The locker room atmosphere would likely embrace his distinctive style, characterized by long-term planning and a steady hand in the most demanding moments.
In Seville, his approach would feel familiar to anyone who has followed his career. A trainer who prioritizes thorough study, tactical flexibility, and a keen eye for every micro-detail. The spectacle of his sessions — the notes, the drills, the never-ending conversations — would continue to be a defining element of how the squad approached games and training. It would be a period of adjustment, but also of renewed purpose, with supporters hoping the best of Lopetegui’s philosophy would blend with Sevilla’s inherent spirit.