Sevilla appoint former Chile manager Jorge Sampaoli to replace Unai Emery

Sevilla has confirmed the appointment of Jorge Sampaoli as the club’s new head coach on a two-year deal with the Europa League Champions to replace Unai Emery.

The Liga club has been searching for a new man at the helm since Unai Emery opted to leave his post after guiding Sevilla to an unprecedented third consecutive Europa League triumph. He is expected to replace Laurent Blanc at Paris Saint-Germain.

In his place comes former Chile boss Sampaoli, who had confirmed talks to take over at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium had begun earlier this month. The club confirmed the appointment on a statement on its official website.

“Sevilla are counting on the best coach of America in 2015, who begins his first adventure in Europe,” Sevilla said in statement of the man who led his country to their first Copa America triumph last year.

The 56-year-old, out of a job since stepping down as Chile coach in January, lost out to Barcelona coach Luis Enrique for the 2015 FIFA World Coach of the Year award after making the three-man shortlist following his Copa America success.

Emery, who steered the team to the last three Europa League crowns, was under contract with Sevilla until June 2017, but negotiated a release from his contract.

“With 106 victories, he is the coach with the most wins at Sevilla in domestic and international competition and the second coach behind Joaquin Caparros with the most games managed, 205,” Sevilla said in a statement.

“We wish Emery the best of luck in his next adventure.”

The Spanish tactician has been linked by the French and Spanish media with the vacant coaching job at Paris Saint-Germain after the big-spending Ligue 1 champions parted ways with Laurent Blanc on Monday.

Sevilla finished seventh in La Liga last season, but have qualified for next season’s Champions League via their Europa League victory.