Spanish club Sevilla appointed assistant coach Antonio Alvarez to
manage the team for the remainder of the season Friday.
The team's Web site reported that president Jose Maria del
Nido informed the team of the news ahead of its training session.
Manolo Jimenez was fired after Sevilla conceded an
injury-time goal to draw 1-1 with last-placed Xerez on Tuesday
night.
The draw kept fifth-placed Sevilla from climbing back into
the top four in the Spanish league.
Alvarez's task is to try and stop Sevilla's slide down the
standings after seven consecutive matches without a win in all
competitions, including their elimination from the Champions League
by CSKA Moscow.
He must also prepare the team for the Copa del Rey final
against Atletico Madrid.
Alvarez, 54, spent 14 years as a player at Sevilla, before
spells at Malaga and Granada, where he ended his playing career in
1995.
He became Sevilla's assistant coach under Joaquin Caparros in
2000, a post he retained under Juande Ramos and Jimenez.
