Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli has revealed why the contract of Spanish midfielder Isco was terminated by the club less than five months after signing from Real Madrid.
The 30-year-old Spain international only signed for Sevilla in the summer after his Real Madrid contract expired at the end of last season.
But his short time in Sevilla was confirmed to have ended yesterday, with the club releasing a statement to that effect.
A statement on the club’s website read: “Sevilla FC and Isco Alarcon have agreed to terminate the contract that united both parties since the player from Malaga joined the Nervionense club last summer after finishing his spell at Real Madrid.
“The club wants to wish Isco all the luck in the world in his new professional challenges.”
Sevilla coach Sampaoli confirmed the news, admitting that the midfielder was sacked because they had failed to live up to the club’s expectations.
When he was asked about Isco following Sevilla’s 3-0 win in the Copa del Rey against Juventud Torremolinos, the former Marseille boss told Marca;
“Isco is a great boy, and I wish him the best.
“He leaves a player who has great capacity, but he did not meet the club’s expectations.”
The 30-year-old featured 19 times for Sevilla across all competitions in his four months at the club. He scored his solitary goal in the Champions League against FC Copenhagen.
He had made a positive start to his Sevilla career and was a regular starter under former Sevilla Julen Lopetegui – now at Wolves.
However, he has only completed two 90-minute matches since Sampaoli arrived at the club in October.
Arsenal, Wolves and AS Roma have been linked with the midfielder, but the general belief is that he will join former manager Lopetegui at Wolves.
The midfielder spent nine years at Real Madrid, winning five Champions League titles, three La Liga titles and four Club World Cups. He scored 53 goals in 353 appearances for Los Blancos, while he has also scored 12 goals in 38 appearances for Spain.
