Handling the hype

Jimenez: dealing with the pressure

I feel comfortable at that level of expectation because I am an ambitious person. This season until now the only side that was ahead of us was Barcelona and now Real Madrid are above us in the table.

Manolo Jimenez
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• Sevilla

Revista caught up with Sevilla manager Manolo Jimenez to discuss the pressure he has been under at Sanchez Pizjuan.

Sevilla's win at Espanyol ended their run of three straight League defeats and eased the pressure on Jimenez who says he is coping well with the demands of the board and the fans.

"Well first of all the level of expectation at Sevilla is very high," explained Jimenez on Revista de la Liga.

"I feel comfortable at that level of expectation because I am an ambitious person. This season until now the only side that was ahead of us was Barcelona and now Real Madrid are above us in the table.

"I am very happy that as a club we have spent the whole season in the top three teams in the League."

Jimenez has been under the microscope from the press and denies that it is payback back for when he was a player and his relationship with the press was not good.

"No, I don't think so, I never had any problems, I always attended interviews like I am attending this one.

"What I do have crystal clear is that when I took over the side last season we were 12th in the league and then went on to have the best record in the second half of the season which was no coincidence and we went on the finish fifth.

"This season with the exception of Barcelona no one has played better football than us and as won as many points. Having said that over the last three games Real Madrid have overtaken us.

"But we are still talking about Real Madrid here! We are still very much alive; we are one step away from qualifying for the final in the Copa Del Rey and third in the League.

"I am happy with that and enjoy the expectation because despite the fact that I am a young manager I want to achieve important things," added Jimenez .

"I have always wanted my teams both at youth and senior level to be up there fighting for the top places in the table."

As for the rest of the season, well Jimenez is confident that Sevilla can go on and win the Copa Del Rey and qualify for the Champions League - as long as his luck holds out.

"First an foremost I need more than fifteen out of the twenty two players available for selection, explained Jimenez.

"I think that is fundamental when you consider we are up against the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona who have such great wealth of resources. We are behind in that respect but we can match them in terms of quality.

"You must remember that they have twenty two top class players to call upon. we have fifteen professionals and the rest of my players are from the youth team.

"We need a bit of luck as far as injuries are concerned and to get a few of your players back in action then we can aim high

"The target is to qualify for the Champions League because it would be irrational to suggest that Barcelona will not go on and win the League, things would have to go spectacularly wrong for them if that were not to happen.

"As well as that I want us to go on to qualify for the final of the Copa Del Rey and win it."