Sevilla director claims new manager was “one millimetre away” from Barcelona job

On Wednesday, Francisco Javier Garcia Pimienta was unveiled as Sevilla’s new manager, following the announcement of his arrival last weekend. The 49-year-old is the club’s sixth manager in less than two years, although there is a belief that he can stay, and be successful, at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan for a significant amount of time.

Sevilla sporting director Victor Orta spoke very highly of Garcia Pimienta during the press conference. As per MD, he expressed his belief that he has found the perfect choice to take over from Quique Sanchez Flores, who left at the end of last season.

“I’m very excited about what’s to come, I’m really looking forward to it. I think we’ve found a perfect coach for the moment. (Garcia Pimienta) was one millimetre away from being coach of Barcelona’s first team in the past. I think he’s come at the perfect time in his career. I think he feels ready.”

Garcia Pimienta had been head coach of Barca Atletic up until 2021, when he was surprisingly dismissed by Joan Laporta. He’s since impressed at Las Palmas, and now he begins the next chapter of his managerial career at Sevilla – it remains to be seen how he gets on.