Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez told Revista his side can push La Liga's big spenders all the way this season.
Jimenez says Sevilla can challenge La Liga's big spenders
Manolo Jimenez believes he can deliver cut-price success to Sevilla this season.
The 45-year-old, starting his third full season in charge at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, says his side are living proof that money does not make the football world go round, in Spain at least.
The Rojiblancos have finished fifth and third under Jimenez, a former left-back at the club, and are sat fourth this season with just two defeats in 13 games so far.
They were also one of the first sides to secure qualification from this season's Champions League group stages, beating big-spending Real Madrid and Barcelona into the knockout phase.
And while he says Sevilla have no chance of match the big-spending big two in Spain, Jimenez believes he can push them all the way on a shoestring.
"Yes, it's a very strong league, a powerful league and the fact that Madrid have reinforced and the way they have gone about it means everyone who wants to be at the top has to make a really big effort," he told Revista.
Planning
"But if you look at these clubs there is a hierarchy: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Villarreal, Atletico Madrid and then Sevilla.
"It makes us very proud, without having the third-largest budget in La Liga, to be fighting to be the third-placed team and right now we're trying to improve on this record.
"It's not all about finances, money and Euros; it can be done with good planning and good budgeting like we have at Sevilla - and by doing what we have done we can aim for the top.
"But what happens is, as I was just saying, there are other strong teams coming up behind us trying to achieve the same things that we are striving."
Sevilla are now a different side to the one that flourished home and on the continent under Juande Ramos.
They still depend on the likes of Freddie Kanoute, Luis Fabiano and Jesus Navas, but this season, appear to have added tempo to their technique.
Jimenez, speaking funnily enough during a mini slump which saw them lose to Unirea in the Champions League and draw at home to Malaga and Valladolid in La Liga, says that is due to two factors: the existing squad stepping up their game and the summer signings - none of them anywhere close to the money spent on Cristiano Ronaldo or Zlatan Ibrahimovic - the club made.
"The difference has been in terms of the players we've had before; they were a very good standard and the squad is very similar to last year but the players we have brought in are more dynamic," he said.
Dynamism
"That's what I had been asking for as well, players with greater pace, more dynamism in terms of defending and attacking, greater flexibility in the transition from defence to attack - and because of that I am happy to say the level has gone up a lot.
"With (Abdouley) Konko recovering, the signing of Sergio Sanchez, (Didier) Zokora, the arrival of Alvaro Negredo and with the incorporation of Diego Perotti - who came into the side last season and is continuing to progress and is now fulfilling his potential - I am very happy."
He is also happy with the former of Jesus Navas - and his decision to make himself available for the national team.
The diminutive midfielder suffers from a stress-related illness which makes travelling away from home difficult, but has overcome his problems in World Cup year.
And his manager believes his rejuvenation and approach to the game is typical of Sevilla as a whole.
"I've been working with Jesus Navus on the pitch since he was very young, in the youth team, when he was 16 and in the reserves he was working with me," he explained.
"He's developing into the player he is and has reached the top level because he plays with an exuberance. It's not just because he loves his football, but because he plays his football with great technical ability."
To see more of Guillem Balague's exclusive interview in which Jimenez talks more about Jesus Navas and star striker Luis Fabiano, watch the video...