It’s striking how the possible end to the Castro presidency looks similar to the end of the Del Nido presidency; minus all the jail stuff of course.
The world was in a financial crisis in 2008 which lasted into 2011. During that same time, the team had some of their best years finishing in 3rd with 71 points (a record at the time) in 08-09, 4th with 63 points in 09-10, and then started to slide finishing 5th on 58 points in 10-11. The slide continued as the club finished 9th in back-to-back seasons before the replacement of Del Nido due to his prison visit in 2013.
During those last few years of Del Nido, the club’s debt climbed to a reported 50 million euros and Del Nido started scheming with shady investment firm, The Doyen Group. Sevilla didn’t own some players (reported in 2013 up to 7 players) outright which left them with little recourse to climb out of debt. When Negredo was sold to Man City for 25 million euros in 2013, the club recovered very little of that money. The same with Kondogbia the same summer. On the surface the sales looked great, selling for profits of 10 million and 16 million respectfully. Of course, that was all untrue because The Doyal Group took at least half of both deals. Shortly afterwards, in 2015, FIFA banned such TPO (Third-party Ownership) deals.
Pepe Castro was appointed in 2013 and oversaw the team finish the 2013-2014 season in 5th place with 63 points and again 5th place in 2014-2015 with a new club record of 76 points.
In 2020, the world faced its most depressing financial challenge since the great depression of 2008 with the Covid-19 pandemic. Sevilla found themselves again having great success during a troublesome world economy. In 2020, Sevilla proceeded to win their sixth Europa league trophy and the following year set another club record for points gained in a season with 77. Another 4th place and 70 point season happened in 2021-2022 before Sevilla finished with a 26 season low of 49 points in 2022-2023.
Pepe Castro announced a debt of 90 million Euros due to the pandemic and the club was in turmoil after firing two managers. The club still had European success by winning their 7th Europa League title. The influx of Champions League cash and a win on the European stage gave hope that the club could bounce back in the league in 2023-2024, but a very poor start in both the league and in Champions have Pepe Castro looking over his shoulder wondering when his door (not a cell door) would close.
Great summary Chris. It is scary how both guys mirrored each other in their 10-11 year eras as president. The first few years went well and middle period went well too. Then things spiralled in last few years for both.
The only difference is del nido went one bar lower in end by going to Pokey haha
I agree. A new direction would be good. However, there appears to be no one else in the running. It seems either stay as we are or del nido will get back in power. It’s pick your poison at this point.
Between the 2 I’d pick del nido for a change but either option isn’t the best.
Board update. Apparently del nido has not been allowed to vote precautionary measures in the next shareholders meeting. That means the board will likely stay the same. I think Castro and his team are safe regardless at the moment.
This boardroom drama trickled down like poison through managerial staff to the performance on the field. Nobody wants to bind his hopes and dreams to a disfunctional entity as our club has become.
Every great club has its identity, but after 7 EUL titles I feel as if we lost ours. They better sort themselves out soon enough, because it is better to treat the cause rather than the symptoms.
Yeah, this agreement was in place since 4 years ago, that Castro and him would swap for the next 4 years. Assuming he makes it that long, my understanding is that 4 years from now is the latest possible timing for Del Nido Sr. to take back his shareholder votes and therefore the presidency.
This is true. I have a feeling though Del nido Senior might get it back sooner. Depending what happens in the courts. All depends how that goes as to whether Del Nido Senior can vote again.
It is fair to say Del nido Senior isn’t wishing his son all the best in his new role
Castro leaves the presidency with a very good overall record.
5 Europa league titles, A new season point record, 4 fourth place finishes in 10 years. A remodeled RSP, improvements to training grounds in process, focusing more on Foreign content (English, Chinese, etc.) plans started for a new RSP.
What is your collective take on the standard line around Sevilla that Castro has always been the puppet of Del Nido Jr, or at least since Jr became VP?
I wonder if Sevilla would ever look to sell a percentage of their shares to fans and the public. I know that there have been a number of teams that have done this, not sure if it has been long enough to tell the effect it has on the club, but I definitely think it would be interesting. I would love to be a very small owner of the club.
