Alvarez pays price for European exit

Antonio Alvarez has conceded Sevilla’s early elimination from the Champions League meant he was always living on borrowed time.

Alvarez was sacked late on Sunday night, and replaced by Gregorio Manzano, just hours after his team lost 2-0 to Hercules.

It was the Andalusian club’s first defeat of the Primera Division season but that solid start was not enough to drag Alvarez back into credit following the failure to reach the Champions League group stages.

Sevilla exited Europe’s premier club competition after losing in the play-off round over two legs to Portuguese club Braga.

And Alvarez believes the club’s board had him walking a tightrope ever since.

He told Radio Marca: “I have to accept the decision because it is the way it is in football. There is not a lot of patience.

“I did not feel I had the full and unanimous support of the club and the fans.

“But it was the Braga tie which did the most damage.

“Because of that the team had to win every game for the debate (over his future) to end. The pressure was enormous.”

Despite being sacked Alvarez, who led the club to Copa del Rey glory last season after succeeding Manolo Jimenez, claimed he had still achieved a lifetime ambition by managing Sevilla.

He said: “I have been at this club for over 30 years. I had a dream that one day I would become coach and I have fulfilled that dream.

“But now I have to seek new horizons.”