Michel replaces Garcia

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SEVILLE, Spain -- Sevilla hired coach Jose Miguel "Michel" Gonzalez on Tuesday to take over from the fired Marcelino Garcia Toral.

Michel agreed to a contract until the end of the season that will automatically be extended an extra year if he manages to guide the Andalusian club to a top-four finish and a place in next season's Champions League.

"My message is clear, there are three months to go and I am very excited to help Sevilla get to where it should be," Michel said. "I know the team for the quality of its players. I also know that I arrive in an abnormal situation for a club like Sevilla, which has always had good results but in the last two years has fallen into a complicated situation."

The former Real Madrid and Spain player said the key to a turnaround is in the hands of the squad.

"I would be worried if we didn't have good players, but we do," he said. "The moment has arrived for them to realize where they are and what colours they defend."

The 48-year-old Michel had been without a coaching job since leaving Getafe at the end of last season. He is Sevilla's fourth coach in just over a season and a half.

Marcelino was fired Monday, one day after Sevilla lost 2-1 to Villarreal for its seventh straight match without a win. The team is in 11th place, six points away from a Champions League spot.

Sevilla has also been eliminated from the Copa del Rey.

Marcelino is the eighth Spanish league coach fired this season.