Luis García Plaza is set to become the new manager of Sevilla FC. The Madrid-born coach has reached an agreement with sporting director Antonio Cordón to replace Matías Almeyda at the helm of the Andalusian club. García Plaza is expected to take his place on the Sevilla bench when La Liga resumes next Sunday, March 29th, with a crucial away match against Real Oviedo.
What was an open secret will reportedly be officially confirmed on Tuesday, March 24th, when Sevilla FC formalizes the agreement reached late Monday with García Plaza. The club has scheduled a closed-door training session for Tuesday, to be led by current assistant coach Javi Martínez, as preparations begin for the pivotal match against Oviedo.
The appointment comes after a period of mounting pressure on Almeyda, whose side currently sits 15th in La Liga, just three points above the relegation zone. Sevilla’s defensive record is among the league’s worst, conceding 49 goals – only one more than bottom-placed Real Oviedo. A damaging defeat to Valencia proved to be the final straw, according to reports.
García Plaza, 55, brings a wealth of experience to the role, particularly in navigating relegation battles. He was most recently in charge of Deportivo Alavés, where he managed 108 official matches, achieving 44 victories, 28 draws, and 36 defeats before his dismissal in December 2024. His track record demonstrates a proven ability to stabilize teams facing challenging circumstances.
The urgency of the situation at Sevilla is undeniable. With nine league matches remaining, the club faces a desperate fight for survival. The appointment of García Plaza signals a clear intent to inject a new tactical approach and instill a sense of urgency within the squad. The club hopes he can quickly address the defensive vulnerabilities that have plagued them throughout the season.
García Plaza’s managerial career began in the early 2000s with various teams in the Valencian region of Spain, including Villarreal B, Elche, and Levante. He achieved notable success with Levante, guiding them to promotion to La Liga in 2011. This accomplishment brought him to the attention of other clubs, including Getafe, where he spent two seasons. He also gained international experience managing in the United Arab Emirates and the Chinese Super League.
Although García Plaza is the clear frontrunner, Sevilla reportedly considered other options, including Diego Martínez and Javi Martínez. However, García Plaza’s experience in similar high-pressure situations and his familiarity with the Spanish top flight ultimately made him the preferred candidate. The club is hoping his arrival will provide a much-needed boost as they enter the final stretch of the season.
The decision to part ways with Almeyda marks the ninth managerial change at Sevilla FC in the past four years, a statistic that highlights the instability within the club’s leadership. This frequent turnover of managers underscores the challenges faced by the board and the need for a more long-term, strategic approach to team building.
García Plaza will have approximately two weeks to prepare his team for the crucial encounter against Real Oviedo at the Carlos Tartiere stadium. This match is being widely described as a “six-pointer” – a game with significant implications for both teams’ chances of avoiding relegation. The outcome could exceptionally well determine Sevilla’s fate in La Liga.
The appointment of Luis García Plaza represents a gamble for Sevilla FC, but one they are willing to take in a desperate attempt to secure their La Liga status. His experience, tactical acumen, and proven ability to navigate challenging situations produce him a potentially ideal candidate to steer the club away from the drop zone. The coming weeks will be a true test of his capabilities and the resilience of the Sevilla squad.
Sevilla’s next match, against Real Oviedo on March 29th, will be a pivotal moment in their season. Fans will be watching closely to see if García Plaza can immediately impact the team’s performance and begin to address the issues that have plagued them throughout the campaign. The stakes are high, and the pressure is on for both the manager and the players.
