Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading

Sampaoli refuses to set targets as he starts at Sevilla

Jorge Sampaoli meeting the press in Sevilla . ©AFP

Madrid (AFP) - Jorge Sampaoli began his second stint as Sevilla coach on Friday by saying his first job was to start winning games and setting any other objectives would be "lying to ourselves".

"My purpose is to put over a quick idea that the players can stick to so they can compete quickly," the Argentine said as he was officially unveiled by the struggling club who fired Julen Lopetegui on Wednesday.

Sevilla are 17th in the 20-team Liga with five points from seven matches.

Asked if he was prepared to set a target finishing spot in La Liga, Sampaoli said that would be "lying to ourselves"

"We have to improve our form," he said."We must adapt quickly."

"The team has lost confidence," said Sampaoli, adding it needs "get out of this negative streak that generates fear, discouragement and change it for excitement.I know we have good players to reverse this situation."

Sampaoli, who has also coached Santos, Atletico Mineiro and Marseille and led Argentina at the 2018 World Cup finals, was last with Sevilla in the 2016-2017 season. 

"I always said I wouldn't go back to somewhere where I was happy, but there is plenty to convince me it is worth it," he told the club website.

His reign kicks off on Saturday against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga. 

"We immediately get stuck into 10 games in the first month, but I know the people and I know the club," said Sampaoli. 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.