Sevilla derby escape won't help them avoid crossroads ahead

Sevilla managed to avoid defeat in the Seville derby against Real Betis on Sunday evening, drawing 1-1 via a goal from Kike Salas, heading home when Los Nervionenses looked least likely. The result meant that Sevilla extended their unbeaten run against their city rivals to 11 games, and saved something from another frustrating season in Andalusia.

Last year they had another joyous Europa League triumph, seemingly sent by divine Jose Luis Mendilibar miracle, but this time round there will be no need for Sevillistas to work out how to buy tickets to the UCL final, nor how to find out where to get Europa League final entry from.

Manager Quique Sanchez Flores remains coy on his future, but it has become public knowledge that a top half finish will mean a contract extension for the coming season. Albeit, the Sevilla hierarchy appear to see this as simply a potential extra cost this summer.

Amid the candidates to replace Sanchez Flores have ranged from Osasuna’s Jagoba Arrasate, out of contract, Getafe’s Jose Bordalas, Leicester coach Enzo Maresca and finally Real Madrid Castilla coach Raul Gonzalez.

It’s a list, presumably formed by Sporting Director Victor Orta that should cause concern in Nervion, as the only thing that unites the four coaches is that they all used to play football at some level, showing a distinct lack of critera for the job.

Arrasate and Bordalas are proven quantities in La Liga, who base their sides of intense pressing, and direct football, having worked with modest squads for most of their careers. Both experienced and having dealt with difficult situations, and sizeable clubs.

On the other hand, Raul Gonzalez has ample experience at one of the biggest clubs in the world at Real Madrid, but with five years at