Sevilla back coach Berizzo after prostate cancer news Club says team knew when they rallied from 0-3 to hold Liverpool
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Sevilla manager Eduardo Berizzo is in “good spirits” and wants “total normality” as he awaits treatment for prostate cancer, according to the Primera Liga club’s chairman Jose Castro.
Sevilla announced Berizzo’s diagnosis just hours after the team staged a remarkable comeback against Premier League side Liverpool in the Uefa Champions League on Tuesday night, fighting back from three down at half-time to draw 3-3.
“Sevilla FC’s medical department has confirmed that First Team coach, Eduardo Berizzo, has been diagnosed with prostatic adenocarcinoma,” read a club statement.
“Future medical tests will determine a course of treatment. Sevilla FC wants to show maximum support to its manager in these moments and wishes him a prompt recovery.”
A former centre-back for River Plate, Marseille and Celta Vigo among others, Berizzo, 48, is in his first season at Sevilla after three successful years in charge of Celta.
The Argentine made no statement on his health when speaking to the media after Tuesday’s match, although chairman Castro yesterday provided an update on SFC Radio, the club’s official radio station.
“We’ve explained the feelings of the club in the official statement but the important thing is that Berizzo feels strong and is awaiting the treatment he’s going to follow,” Castro said.
“This is a personal matter and from here on, we are going to make it clear that he is our coach.
“We aren’t imagining any situation where he’s not and we are going to support him and fall over ourselves for him because we are sure that this
problem has a solution. He wants total normality, he’s in good spirits and he’s dealing with it naturally.”
Reports in the Spanish media yesterday claimed Berizzo had informed his players of the diagnosis at half time during the Liverpool match.
However, Castro revealed that the players were, in fact, told on Saturday.
“We knew 15 to 20 days ago. He told the players after the Celta match and it was something we had to communicate,” Castro said.
“Eduardo was the one to make the decision and he didn’t want it to become mixed up in yesterday’s match.”
Castro’s unwavering support for Berizzo has been matched by the Sevilla squad, with captain Nico Pareja writing an open letter to the manager.
“Our coach, Eduardo Toto Berizzo, has a hard battle ahead of him to win and we, his players, want to help him do just that,” the letter read.
“That’s why, through this message, we want to show him our unconditional support, give him all of our encouragement and show him that he is not alone – especially not now.
“We, his players, his coaching staff, the employees of the club and all of the fans in this big family are with him and his loved ones.
“We wish him a full and speedy recovery, we pass on to him something that has been the mark of this club for a long time – ‘It is said we never surrender’ – we’ll all be there to make sure of that.
“Gaffer, you have more than enough courage to get through all of this, you’ve won our respect and affection and we want to let you know you can count on your team and thousands of people that will stand by you and will help you in this process. YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS BATTLE!”
Sevilla sit fifth in the Primera Liga and need one point from their final Champions League group game away at Maribor to secure their place in the last 16.