Sevilla president Del Nido gives under-fire coach Michel vote of confidence

Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido has given a vote of confidence to under-fire coach Michel.

Friday's 2-2 draw at struggling Espanyol left Sevilla 11th in the Primera Division table, with their haul of 19 points from 15 games equalling the club's worst tally at this stage in over a decade.

Nevertheless, the controversial president said he was not thinking of changing manager.

"Within the club we have not at all considered the possibility of questioning the coach," Del Nido said. "We question the results, as the team does is not performing consistently, and we are looking at solutions for that. But the coach is not questioned. I have full confidence in Michel. I believe in his way of working, the way he approaches games, what he transmits to the players."

In an up-and-down start to the season, Sevilla have beaten both Real Madrid and city rivals Real Betis but slipped to unexpected defeats against Celta Vigo, Real Zaragoza and Real Valladolid. Del Nido said the team needed to show the same intensity and commitment in all games.

"I do not ask any more than that the team always shows the same intensity and will to win that it has shown in (some) games," he said. "It is clear that we did not expect to be 11th at this point, with so many international players. A lack of consistency means we do not have as many points as we should have. Those who are responsible must straighten things out. We need to play four or five games at our top level."

The long-serving president, who last week revealed that the club's poor financial situation may require the sale of players, said he did not know yet what January's transfer window would bring.

"We have not considered (potential new signings) because the situation does not allow us to bring anyone in," Del Nido said. "Secondly, we have not been asked to reinforce any position. Thirdly, there is still time to discuss transfers as we are a month away. We do not know if players will leave or not - the market will decide if there are comings or goings."

Sevilla travel to struggling Real Mallorca for Wednesday night's Copa del Rey last-16 first-leg clash, which brings them up against former coach Joaquin Caparros, who has been linked with a return to the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan in the past.

Del Nido said Sevilla were taking this year's Copa very seriously as it offered a potential route into Europe for next season should their league form not pick up sufficiently, while adding that he remained in close contact with Caparros.

"I hope we get going in La Liga to move into the European places that way, but we also have to give our maximum in the Copa, where we have done well in recent years," Del Nido said. "I speak with Caparros regularly and I wish him the best, but for the day after the Copa game."

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Source: ESPN