• Berizzo sacked a week after successful surgery to treat prostate cancer • Sevilla set to face Manchester United in the last 16 of the Champions League

Manchester United’s Champions League opponents Sevilla have sacked their coach Eduardo Berizzo exactly a week after he returned to work following an operation to treat prostate cancer.

“Sevilla FC would like to express its gratitude to Berizzo for his professionalism, the work he has delivered and his treatment of all the members of the club since his arrival,” the club said in a statement announcing the dismissal.

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The La Liga side added that conversations have already begun to appoint a new manager, who is expected to join the club after the winter break.

Sevilla are without a win in their last four games in all competitions and lost 3-1 to Real Sociedad on Wednesday to stay fifth in the Liga standings on 29 points, 13 behind leaders Barcelona. They suffered a 5-0 thrashing at Real Madrid earlier this month, although assistant Ernesto Marcucci was in charge for that fixture at the Bernabéu.

Berizzo underwent successful surgery to treat prostate cancer in late November and returned to the Sevilla bench for last week’s goalless draw with Levante.

Berizzo only joined the club in the summer, after leading Celta Vigo to the last four in both the Copa del Rey and the Europa League, and while they finished a modest 13th place in the league, it was enough for Sevilla to choose him as a replacement for Jorge Sampaoli, who took the Argentina national team job.

Sevilla’s next game is at home to city rivals Real Betis on 6 January. The first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against José Mourinho’s United is on 21 February, which they qualified for after finishing second behind Liverpool in the group stage.