Caparros: Sevilla FC have announced the sacking of head coach Javier Garcia Pimienta following a string of poor results, culminating in a 1-0 loss to Valencia on Friday night. The defeat, Sevilla’s fourth consecutive in La Liga, proved to be the final straw for the club’s hierarchy, who acted swiftly to bring back a familiar face in Joaquin Caparros as interim manager.
Garcia Pimienta’s reign, which began with promise, ends with the Andalusian club languishing in 13th place, seven points clear of the relegation zone. Under his stewardship, Sevilla managed only nine wins in 31 league matches, while suffering humiliating defeats, including a 1-2 home loss to city rivals Real Betis — their first derby defeat since 2018.
A Familiar Face Returns to Steady the Ship of Sevilla FC
In a move aimed at stabilizing the club during a turbulent period, Sevilla have turned once again to Joaquin Caparros. The 68-year-old will take charge on an interim basis until the end of the season, marking his third temporary stint with the club. Caparros previously served as Sevilla’s full-time manager between 2000 and 2005, and as caretaker in 2018 and 2019 following the dismissals of Vincenzo Montella and Pablo Machin.
Caparros is a deeply respected figure at the club, credited with laying the foundations for Sevilla’s rise in the early 2000s. His return is seen as an effort to bring calm and discipline back to the dressing room. With just seven league games remaining, his primary task will be to guide the team away from the relegation zone and end the season with dignity.
Pimienta’s Promising Start Ends in Disappointment
Appointed in June 2024 on a two-year deal, Garcia Pimienta arrived with a reputation for developing young talent and tactical astuteness, having led Las Palmas to La Liga promotion in 2023. Despite an encouraging pre-season and early optimism, the results never truly matched expectations at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.
Pimienta’s inability to build momentum was evident throughout the campaign. Sevilla’s early exit from the Copa del Rey in January — a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of second-tier Almeria — underscored the team’s fragility. Ultimately, a toxic mix of inconsistency, tactical confusion, and underperforming senior players led to his dismissal.
From European Powerhouse to La Liga Struggler
Sevilla’s decline has been both sharp and dramatic. Once a feared force in European competitions and regular Champions League participants, the club has endured a sobering downturn. Last season’s 12th-place finish marked their lowest league standing since 2000 — the year they were last relegated.
The current campaign has offered little solace to fans, with the team’s performances often bereft of intensity or coherence. Long gone are the days of silverware and continental glory; the focus now is purely on survival and long-term restructuring. Caparros’s reappointment is a stopgap solution, but many supporters are calling for broader changes at executive and sporting levels.
Alaves Clash Looms as Pivotal Moment in Season
Sevilla’s next challenge comes on April 20, when they host Deportivo Alaves in a crucial La Liga fixture. With the club teetering above the relegation zone and confidence at an all-time low, the outcome of that match could have significant implications for their top-flight status.
Caparros, known for his motivational prowess and defensive organization, will be expected to instill urgency and resilience into a team that has appeared directionless in recent weeks. A win against Alaves could ease growing tensions and spark a late-season resurgence, but anything less may plunge Sevilla deeper into crisis.
