Michel makes poor start at sinking Sevilla

Feb 13, 2012, 21:59 GMT

Madrid - Michel made a poor debut as coach of Sevilla on Monday, with a 2-0 defeat at lively Real Sociedad.

Carlos Vela and Ruben Pardo scored Sociedad's goals, in a five-minute burst midway through the second half. Sevilla lacked a cutting edge once again, and never looked capable of turning the game around.

The latest defeat leaves Sevilla eighth from bottom and facing a possible battle against relegation, instead of their usual struggle for the European places.

Sociedad are now actually one point and two places above Sevilla, in comfortable 11th place.

Michel - who starred for Real Madrid and Spain in the 1980s - took over at Sevilla last week from Marcelino Garcia, after turning down the jobs at struggling Zaragoza and Sporting Gijon.

He is on a five-month contract to the end of the season, and this deal will only be extended if - an unlikely prospect at the moment - he manages to guide the southerners into a Champions League place.