Victor Orta is set to name the man Leeds United icon Marcelo Bielsa replaced at Uruguay as Sevilla’s new manager.
That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who says Sevilla have identified Alonso as their first choice candidate with negotiations now at an advanced stage.
This will be Orta’s first official managerial appointment as Sevilla’s new sporting director having joined during the summer to replace Monchi.
After winning the Europa League last season, Joe Luis Mendilibar was in charge upon Orta’s arrival at the club, but has not lasted long after a poor start to the season.
Sevilla currently sit 14th in the table having picked up just eight points in their opening eight La Liga matches, which has prompted Orta to pull the trigger.
Orta to appoint man Bielsa replaced at Uruguay as Sevilla boss
Bielsa was appointed as Uruguay’s new manager earlier this year following Alonso’s dismissal in the wake of a very poor World Cup campaign in which they failed to get out of the group stages.
Alonso lasted just over a year as manager of Uruguay having replaced Oscar Tabarez, who enjoyed an illustrious 15-year spell at the helm of his country.
Sevilla will represent Alonso’s first job in European football, with his most recent role at club level coming in the MLS at Inter Miami.
With all due respect to Alonso, this has all the feels of another Orta gamble with his track record as a manager not the most inspiring for a club the size of Sevilla.
It will certainly be interesting to see how Alonso performs at Sevilla, as if he fails, the pressure will be right on Orta just a matter of months into his new job after his Leeds exit.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
