FORMER SEVILLA COACH MARCOS ALONSO PASSES AWAY

On Thursday morning, the sad news broke of the death of Marcos Alonso, former Sevilla FC coach in 1999 and 2000. The man from Santander arrived at the club in January 1999 to replace Fernando Castro Santos at the helm of Sevilla FC first team, when they were hovering around the mid-table positions. Under Marcos Alonso, Sevilla had an excellent second half of the season, which ended with a dramatic match in Malaga, where a win would give the club the chance to play for promotion to the First Division against Villarreal CF. That memorable match would see Sevilla FC return to the top flight.

Marcos Alonso's tenure as coach of the Nervion side came to an end in March 2000, after the 27th match of the league season, when the Sevillian side were at the bottom of the table and practically condemned to relegation. His replacement was Juan Carlos Álvarez, who took charge of the club for the third time.

Sevilla FC, who will dedicate a minute's silence to his memory at Saturday's match at the Sánchez-Pizjuán against RCD Mallorca, would like to express its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Marcos Alonso. May he rest in peace.