Black crepes drew attention in the arms of the Sevilla footballers against Elche, without the Nervión club having announced the death of any character close to the club nor had there been a minute of silence before the initial whistle. The gesture, improvised by the Sevilla squad itself, was due to the death of a relative of Julen Lopetegui in the hours before the meeting.
But the affection of the players towards their coach did not end much less there. Papu Gómez forgot his typical dance after scoring the goal that led to Sevilla’s victory and he left to hug his coach in the band, in a pineapple with the other footballers. Tears welled up in Julen’s eyes, who once again noted the degree of commitment of his team to the man who leads them.
Curiously, the first to embrace Lopetegui was Munir El-Haddadi, From whom one could a priori expect a certain apathy or discontent due to his situation as an expendable footballer in the summer and the fact that he has been a starter very few times this campaign. The Spanish-Moroccan striker until He pushed aside one of the members of the technical staff to get to the Gipuzkoan coach: the degree of ostracism has nothing to do with the respect you have for your boss.
There are many players from this Seville who have spared no praise for Asteasu’s coach. The sports director Monchi also expressed his consideration through social networks: “This one goes to you and your family. An example of professionalism that you have given us all this week. Thank you Julen“.
But it is that even from the outside they highlight their professional and human quality. Just a few days ago, Casemiro spoke in this way in Panenka magazine: “What Lopetegui did at Porto for my personal and professional growth was crazy. And I still thank him for it,” says the Real Madrid pivot. And Julen returned the compliments: “Casemiro is a great player and a great guy.”