Sevilla relieved Víctor Orta of his duties as sporting director on Wednesday following two disappointing seasons. On the same day, the club announced Antonio Cordón as its new sporting director on a three year contract.
“Finally, I’m here. In previous years, I could have come, but the circumstances didn’t align,” Cordón said during his introduction to the players and employees of the club on Friday. “For me, being here—in what is already my home—is a challenge. I’m very excited and eager to get started.”
The front office shake up comes after Sevilla had its worst season since the turn of the century. Sevilla finished 17th in the La Liga table, escaping relegation this season by only a single point. The club only registered one win in its last ten games of the season, second only to Real Valladolid for the worst final stretch in La Liga.
They also failed to make it past the third round of the Copa Del Rey, its worst cup run since 2001. It’s their worst league campaign since 2000, when the club finished dead last and were relegated to the second division.
The Andalusian club hasn’t finished in the top half of La Liga in three years. In that time, Sevilla has cycled through six different managers.
The sharp decline raises a lot of questions, and casts doubt on the immediate future of los palanganas. While sporting directors don’t directly influence on-field results, Sevilla needs to make changes from the top down if it wants to recover its reputation.
“I always say that companies succeed when every employee performs at their best. Each of you, in your role, must strive to be number one—not just within the club, but in Sevilla, Andalusia, Spain, and Europe,” Cordón said in his address to the club.
For most of the last 25 years Sevilla routinely challenged the top teams in Spain, consistently battling for and often fighting their way into La Liga’s top four. They built a legacy by winning five Europa League trophies in 10 years, most recently in 2023.
Sevilla finished last in their Champions League group last year with a measly two points. This, combined with the poor league performance, left them out of any European tournaments for the first time in 12 years.
The lack of European play this season compounds the disappointment of the results, rounding out a skid that is equal parts confusing and concerning. Sevilla put together the same record the past two seasons: 10 wins, 11 draws and 17 losses, all amounting to 41 points.
But everyone around them improved, dragging their position down from 13th to 17th. Worst of all for Sevilla, crosstown rivals Real Betis are enjoying an upward trajectory, rubbing salt in the rojiblanco wounds.
Betis have finished above Sevilla in the La Liga table for three seasons running, consistently battling for European qualification spots. Los Beticos had their best European campaign in club history this season, making it to the Europa Conference League final, losing out on the trophy to an overqualified Chelsea side.
Cordón has harvested some success in recent seasons. During his spell at Betis a few years back, los verdiblancos won the Copa Del Rey for the third time in club history. In 2024, Cordón was the sporting director of Greek giants Olympiacos as they lifted the Europa Conference League trophy.
“This is an exciting challenge, and I’m convinced we’ll do it very well,” Cordón said to finish out his remarks on Friday. While there is plenty to be optimistic about, the work has only just begun for Sevilla and Cordón alike.
