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Sevilla FC officially announced on Monday that Matias Almeyda, the Argentine head coach, had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect. The decision came shortly after the team suffered a 2-0 home defeat against Valencia, a result which left the seven-time Europa League champions hovering just three points above the La Liga relegation zone.
The club issued a brief but pointed statement regarding the dismissal. “Matias Almeyda has been relieved of his duties as Sevilla FC first team head coach,” the statement read. Furthermore, the club expressed gratitude for his service. “Sevilla FC want to thank Matias Almeyda and his team for his efforts and professionalism and wish him the best for the future.”
Tenure Marked by Inconsistency
Almeyda, the former Argentina international midfielder, had returned to the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan in July 2025 with the mission of stabilizing the squad. However, his tenure lasted merely eight months and encompassed only 32 matches across all competitions. During this period, the team secured merely 10 victories while displaying alarming inconsistency in domestic fixtures.
The 2026 calendar year proved particularly damaging to his position. The squad recorded only two wins since January 1, a run which included damaging losses to mid-table rivals and direct relegation competitors. Consequently, the board determined that immediate action was necessary to prevent further deterioration in the standings.
Additionally, Almeyda had faced disciplinary issues during his brief spell in charge. In February, the Spanish Football Federation’s Competition Committee handed him a seven-match suspension following a confrontation with referee Iosu Galech during a fixture against Alaves. The referee’s report stated that Almeyda entered the field of play and stood “face to face just centimeters from me, in a defiant and intimidating manner” after receiving his dismissal from the technical area.
Relegation Fears Prompt Action
The timing of the sacking reflected the severity of the situation. With 29 league fixtures completed, Sevilla occupied 15th position in the table. Moreover, the margin for error had narrowed considerably, with the bottom three clubs closing the gap to within three points. Therefore, the international break provided the board with a window to install new leadership before the decisive final stretch of the season.
