SEVILLE - A new era for Sevilla begins on Sunday when the Andalusian club take on Valencia with Manolo Jimenez directing proceedings from the touchline, and not the hugely successful Juande Ramos.
Jimenez, the coach of Sevilla's reserve side, was promoted to take over the first team for the remainder of the season following Ramos' resignation late on Friday night.
Ramos' decision to leave Sevilla - almost certainly to take over at English side Tottenham - brought to an end one of the most profitable partnerships in European football over the last two years.
After taking charge of the Andalusian club in 2005, Ramos led Sevilla to five trophies - two UEFA Cups, the Copa del Rey, the European Super Cup and the Spanish Supercopa - during his time in the hotseat.
Prior to that, Sevilla had picked up only four pieces of major silverware in their history, with the most recent being the Copa del Rey crown they won back in 1948.
With Ramos now gone though, the baton has been passed to former Spain international Jimenez, whose first task will be to try and plot the downfall of high-flying Valencia on Sunday.
"Sevilla has an extraordinary squad, which has been directed phenomenally until yesterday and I hope that I can continue to do the same," Jimenez said on Saturday.
"If we win against Valencia, the success on Sunday will be Sevilla FC's, independent of individuals because we are all in this together."
Jimenez has initially been put in charge for the rest of the season, but the 43-year-old appears determined to make it hard for anyone to take away what is a dream come true for him.
"I have spent seven years working in the shadows. I have taken the title of coach with only one intention - to be coach of Sevilla FC.
"I have been given the opportunity to train the team I have followed all my life," said Jimenez, who spent 14 years at the club during his playing days and as a coach helped mould the talents of players such as Jose Antonio Reyes, Sergio Ramos, Kepa Blanco and the late Antonio Puerta.
"I have obtained the two dreams in my life - to play for my team and to coach Sevilla Atletico (reserve side), from where I have come - and today is a very special day," he added.
"I was a coach that helped form players, now I am a coach looking to help my club have success."
Jimenez's first squad list has included one surprise name, with 20-year-old defender Jose Angel Crespo added to the usual suspects in an 18-man squad.
Enzo Maresca, Julien Escude and Javi Navarro all remain sidelined for the UEFA Cup holders though.
Ramos leaves with the club in 11th spot in the standings, 10 points behind leaders Real Madrid following a disappointing start to the season.
They are also nine points behind Sunday's visitors to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Valencia, although Sevilla do have a game in hand on most clubs and also appear to be on the up following victories over Steaua Bucharest and Levante in the last week.
Valencia, on the other hand, have lost three of their last four competitive matches and coach Quique Sanchez Flores has been feeling the heat from his side's supporters this season.
Los Che at least have a good away record in La Liga, having won all four matches away from the Mestalla so far - including last weekend's 4-2 trouncing of Deportivo La Coruna.
Valencia followed that up with a 2-0 Champions League defeat at Rosenborg though, and goalkeeper Santiago Canizares knows they need to put that result behind them as soon as possible.
"Wednesday's result was disappointing but we now have an important league game in Seville and that is a good opportunity for us to get back on track," he said.
Valencia are still without injured star striker David Villa, while Edu is not fit enough to be included and Ivan Helguera is suspended.
Winger Vicente has been named in a 19-man squad though after injury and he could make his first appearance since August.
