Aragones rejects offer to coach Sevilla

Madrid: Former Spain coach Luis Aragones has rejected an offer to return to Sevilla to take over as coach from the sacked Manolo Jimenez, a spokesman for the La Liga club said on Thursday.

"The latest offer we made was rejected and it`s difficult to see an agreement being reached," spokesman Jesus Gomez said, adding that Antonio Alvarez, a member of the club`s technical staff, would oversee first team training on Friday. Aragones, 71, led Spain to victory at Euro 2008 and had a spell as Sevilla coach in the mid-1990s. He began his management career at Atletico Madrid in 1974 and has also coached Barcelona, Espanyol, Real Betis, Valencia, Real Oviedo and Real Mallorca. As newspaper and other local media reported he was pushing for a contract until the end of next season but Sevilla were unwilling to guarantee he would stay on after the end of this campaign. The Andalusian club sacked Jimenez after his side were held to a 1-1 draw at home by basement side Xerez on Tuesday. They suffered a surprise Champions League exit to CSKA Moscow last week and Tuesday`s draw meant they had failed to win in seven matches in all competitions. The club are fifth in La Liga on 45 points, two behind Real Mallorca who occupy Spain`s fourth Champions League qualification spot. Bureau Report