Why is Isco leaving Sevilla after four months?

Isco is set to leave Sevilla after just four months at the club, according to Relevo. The club has finalised the release of the Malagueño, who signed for the La Liga outfit until 2024.

This will put an end to one of the strangest signings Monchi has made in his time as sporting director. He was not convinced by his signing (despite being free) and ended up listening to the advice of former coach Julen Lopetegui. Time has proven Monchi right.

The news reported by Relevo on 10 December was the definitive trigger for a divorce that had been simmering. The heated argument with Monchi in front of some Sevilla team-mates was not only a demonstration of the tension experienced internally within the dressing room due to the poor results on the pitch, but also the confirmation that there was no way back to fix a tense situation.

The playmaker’s lack of involvement had strained the relationship between the club and the player, something that has been pointed out internally by Jorge Sampaoli. No attempt has been made in recent days to redress the existing mood. Isco wanted to leave and Sevilla wanted him to leave.

The former Real Madrid player arrived at the club on August 7 but Monchi was never convinced about the Malagueño. It was a request that Lopetegui had made seasons ago, but which the club were not willing to spend on. When Isco lowered his demands by half, Monchi accepted the move.

Isco leaves Sevilla with 19 games under his belt. There has not been much harmony with the fans either, who saw him as a player who had fallen from grace and who did not solve the club’s problems in La Liga.

GSFN | Kieran Quaile