Sevilla announce new manager on three-year deal
Several weeks after the exit of interim coach Joaquin Caparros, Sevilla have announced that Argentine Matias Almeyda will take over as their new manager. The 51-year-old will take over on a three-year deal, and he becomes their seventh manager in the past two years.
Los Nervionenses were heavily linked with former Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil, but after new Sporting Director Antonio Cordon was installed talks collapsed at the last-minute. Shortly after, Almeyda began conversations with Sevilla, and is supposedly backed by Cordon as his preferred option.
Almeyda's experience
Almeyda, who had a long playing career spanning nearly two decades, spent time at Sevilla as a player. Moving from River Plate, the playmaking midfielder signed in Andalusia in 1996 for €7.5m before moving onto Lazio the following summer for €6.5m.
Image via Marca
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He began his coaching career at River too, in 2011. He would spend just over a year there, before roles at Banfield, Chivas Guadalajara, San Jose Earthquakes and most recently AEK Athens. His last three spells have all last three years, a stability Sevilla would be delighted with. During his 14-year coaching career he has won nine trophies, including a Greek League, the Greek Cup, the Concacaf Champions League, a Mexican Clausura and two leagues in Argentina.
Alguacil heading to Saudi Arabia?
Meanwhile Alguacil appears to be on his way to the Middle East. Matteo Moretto reports that he is set to accept a lucrative two-year contract with Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia. The two sides have an agreement in principle on a deal.
Tough job ahead at Sevilla
Sevilla finished just one point above the relegation zone this year, the latest step in their downward trajectory since the exit of Jose Luis Mendilibar. They are also set to field offers for the likes of Dodi Lukebakio and Loic Bade, but Sevillistas will be grateful that they now have both sporting director and manager installed, albeit not before time.
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USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Proud Boca Juniors fans silenced by Benfica's Argentine World Cup champions in draw
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Once they entered the security gates, walked up the concourse and got to their seats, they made the home stadium of the NFL's Miami Dolphins shake like 'La Bombonera' — their beloved venue in Buenos Aires. Their passion and pride poured out of their souls as they waved their arms and jumped up and down to cheer. The devotion of the Boca Juniors fans is so passionate, they wouldn't even celebrate for the two players on their Portuguese opponents who helped Lionel Messi win the Qatar World Cup and two Copa America titles. Ángel Di María scored a penalty just before halftime, and Nicolás Otamendi scored the equalizer with a header in the 84th minute to help SL Benfica steal a 2-2 draw with Boca Juniors in the first group stage match for both clubs. Those were the only times Boca fans were quiet Monday. 'We really tried to win the game,' said Di María, who will return to his boyhood club Rosario Central in Argentina after the Club World Cup. 'We know what Argentine soccer is like, we know how we had to play.' Added Otamendi: 'We came back from 2-0 down, which was difficult, but we managed to equalize.' Miguel Merentiel (21') and Rodrigo Battaglia (25') scored in the first half for Boca Juniors. Several chants like 'Dale Boca. Dale, dale Boca' — Go Boca. Go, Go boca. — filled the air as an announced crowd of 55,574 fans attended the 6 p.m. ET match. Even though they spoiled the result, the Boca fans still cheered as the final whistle blew and clapped for their club as they walked off the field. 'The truth is that we're leaving with a bitter taste in our mouths,' Battaglia said. 'I think that given how the game went, we could have seen ourselves winning. Anyway, we're thankful to the people who came to support us here and to my teammates, who gave it their all.' Added Merentiel: 'The result, to be honest, doesn't favor us.' The drama in Group C of the tournament could come down to how much Boca Juniors and Benfica can score against Auckland City FC — the club from New Zealand filled with amateurs filling the Oceania region's bid in the Club World Cup. German giants FC Bayern München beat Auckland City FC, 10-0, on June 15 in Cincinnati. Expect both clubs to tee off on Auckland, while trying to get a result against Bayern. Benfica gets the first crack at Auckland on Friday at noon ET inside Orlando's Inter&Co Stadium, while Boca plays Bayern at 9 p.m. ET inside Hard Rock Stadium in the second matches for the clubs. At least Boca Juniors knows their fans will still be in South Florida for the next match. 'The truth is that it's crazy how people cheer. Every time you hear a shout, it makes you want to play, to give your all,' Boca Juniors substitute Tomás Belmonte said. 'We're very happy, very grateful to them, because all the effort they put in. We're going to give our all for them and for the whole team, because they really deserve it.' MORE: Club World Cup buzz is building as diehard soccer fans take over U.S. cities Argentine World Cup winner Diego Maradona famously played for Boca Juniors, winning his only domestic title with the club in 1981. They have a rich history, dating back to their inception in 1905. Boca rose to prominence in the early 2000s, winning Copa Libertadores titles in 2000, 2001 and 2003. They also beat Real Madrid in the 2000 Intercontinental Cup. 'To be a Boca fan, is to be a real Argentinean,' fan Nicholas De Oliveira said as he kissed the Boca Juniors logo on his jersey before the match. 'I love it. It feels so personal. These people are my family.' One thing to know about Boca Juniors: The club resonates with the lower- and middle-class, Robinson Rodriguez said before the match. You also don't have to be Argentine to support them. 'Boca is for the people,' said Rodriguez, a Colombian. 'We have probably one of the best followings in the world.' The Boca fans will surely make their presence felt again in the days leading up to their club's must-win match against Bayern on Friday. 'Boca is a passion. It's like a feeling. I can't explain it,' said Luis Rey, from Panama. 'We came a long road to come here and support our team. It's nice to hear all our songs, supporting Boca.' The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter.


San Francisco Chronicle
3 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Boca Juniors, Benfica draw 2-2 in Club World Cup match that includes 3 red cards, 21 fouls
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Fox Sports
3 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Boca Juniors, Benfica draw 2-2 in Club World Cup match that includes 3 red cards, 21 fouls
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