On the verge of an economic abyss, Seville will launch its revolution!

Difficult to do more paradoxically than Sevilla FC. In difficulty in La Liga last season, the Andalusian club had held on for a long time before finally snatching a twelfth place. However, the club once again shone in the Europa League by winning the competition for the seventh time in its history. Large record holder of the event, the Spanish club has enjoyed incredible success in this competition with no less than 5 coronations in the last 9 editions. A side of Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hide who has often acted for the residents of the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. However, this season all the lights seem to be red.

Once again held by Villarreal at home (1-1), Sevilla is fifteenth and only five points ahead of the red zone. On the European scene, it’s not better. Last in its group with 2 points in 5 matches and already eliminated from the Champions League, Sevilla and condemned to win in Lens to hope to go to the Europa League. A crucial match which could allow the Andalusians to regain their icing in the competition they love. Nevertheless, it appears as a tree that hides the forest.

Seville lived beyond its means

In a season marked by the dismissal of José Luis Mendilibar, Diego Alonso, his successor, is also in an ejection seat. Last summer, sports director Monchi left his place to Victor Orta whose choices are now contested. Between the extension of José Luis Mendilibar and certain unconvincing arrivals (Mariano Diaz and Adnan Januzaj), he has exhausted part of his credit. At the presidential level, this Monday is marked by the return of José Maria Del Nido at the head of the club, ten years after his first mandate (2002/2013). Sentenced at the time to 7 years in prison for corruption, he will try to revive a club in great economic difficulty. Asked by 2PlayBookJosé Maria Del Nido affirmed that sales will be necessary for the good of the club as well as a strong austerity policy.

Over the last few years, Sevilla has lived well beyond its means with 202 million euros in payroll and depreciation last season, record figures. “During these two years we must not forget that we have lost a lot of income, but it would not be fair if in 2022/2023 we used as an argument the embers of the pandemic (of Covid-19 in 2020 editor’s note ). We lost money because we were extremely ambitious with the sports team setup, it didn’t work and deliver the expected return. I would like to remind you that an extra effort was made in 2022 because in January of that year we saw that the championship title could be contested.explained the manager.

A strategy that will change in the transfer window

“Significant losses have resulted from this and Sevilla will not be able to hold on in this situation for very long. It’s not acceptable. We invested 40 million in footballers who did not play for us because of ineffective sporting decisions or poor performances. Our outlook is that in 2023/2024 we will break even, probably with some sales” continued José Maria Del Nido. If the dynamic begins to evolve positively with a 22% reduction in losses, the work must continue, especially since Sevilla FC will have difficulty being European next year unless there is another epic victory in the Europa League. And the latter depends on a victory against Lens. The sale of players this winter and summer will be an option used by the Andalusian club and the president of the Nervionenses has hammered it.

“In 23/24 we managed to reduce the payroll to 180 million, more than 20 million less than last year, and we reduced the number of players from 35 to 27, with 25 professional players and two more from the reserve team. The problem is that we always bear the cost of operations that have not gone well and, for example, this year we have assumed 30 million costs for players who do not play for us. The problem has been identified and is not in revenue. We must return to the model of looking for younger players so that they can offer high sporting performances here, revalorize themselves and allow us to obtain added value. explained José Maria Del Nido. Statements which suggest a return to basics for Seville which has asserted itself on a European scale through its excellent work in scouting and the emergence of young nuggets.