Julen Lopetegui fired by Sevilla after dismal start to season, Jorge Sampaoli in line to return

La Liga side Sevilla have confirmed that they have relieved manager Julen Lopetegui of his duties after a dismal start to the season.

In bizarre scenes after the match Lopetegui was set to go to the dressing room but sporting director Monchi told him to go back on the pitch and say goodbye to the fans.

Shortly after full-time Sevilla put out a statement confirming Lopetegui’s departure.

In the team’s statement they confirmed that they have offered him “the option of a public farewell at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.”

They added that “the club wish to underline and thank the Basque coach for his professionalism and hard work in the more than three years he spent at the club, as well as wishing him the best of luck and the best of success in his future endeavours.”

The club are expected to turn to former manager Jorge Sampaoli, who is currently a free agent after leaving Marseille in the summer.

Sampaoli took over the club in 2016 but left just a year later as he was offered the Argentina national team job.