First team

CASTRO: 'NO ONE LIKES TO MAKE DECISIONS LIKE THIS BUT THE TIME HAD COME'

15/03/2019

The president has given the job to Joaquín Caparrós, a 'successful manager' and someone who knows the squad as it 'has practically been created by him'

José Castro, Sevilla FC's president, attended the press following the club's confirmation that Pablo Machín had been relieved of his duties as first-team coach, being replaced by Joaquín Caparrós. The first thing he wished to give was his thanks 'to Pablo Machín for his professionalism and commitment during his time at Sevilla FC.' He revealed that Caparrós would be 'helped by Carlos Marchena, Paco Gallardo and Antonio Álvarez.'

'We did not make this decision lightly. During the last week, the possibility of relieving Pablo Machín of his duties due to the poor results was analysed although we felt we would get out of this crisis. It was not to be and we came to the decision that there would be nobody better than Joaquín, a successful manager, to take the reigns, especially given that the squad has been practically created by him,' José Castro added, before saying that 'I informed Machín of the decision in person.'

The president explained that Joaquín Caparrós did not stay on as coach in the summer 'because the sporting team felt it was not the correct decision. Now the situation is different. Nobody likes to make these kinds of decisions but the time had come. And it is the right moment for Joaquín to return as coach.'

Asked if this was his toughest team at the club, José Castro reminded the press that he has been here 'for 24 years. Difficult times are being in the second division, hardly having enough money to purchase footballs... We are in a great moment now, sporting wise and economically. But this is not a nice moment for anyone. No one likes having to tell a manager that their services are no longer required or that the team is not achieving the results we want. It's one of the many tough moments in the past 24 years but this club has always recovered.'

Castro denied that he was considering leaving the presidency: 'What I am thinking about is the great projects we are going to carry out so Sevilla FC keep improving. My focus is on Sevilla FC.'