Jorge out to make a splash

– Jorge Sampaoli (above) has a final shot to further his case to land his dream job at the end of the season when his slumping Sevilla side travel to Barcelona tonight.

Sampaoli looked to be at the head of the queue when Barca boss Luis Enrique announced he would step down at the end of the campaign little over a month ago.

However, since then Sevilla have been knocked out of the Champions League by Leicester City and tumbled out of contention for the La Liga title with Atletico Madrid passing them into third place.

Sampaoli’s future at the Sanchez Pizjuan is far from clear with long-term sporting director Monchi’s decision to leave last week adding further uncertainty.

What does seem obvious, though, is that Sampaoli would jump at the chance to coach compatriot Lionel Messi and Barca’s host of other stars next season.

“I want to manage Messi to be able to watch him from the sideline every day.” Sampaoli said last week.

“It is a unique dream to be able to see the best in the world up close.”

Barca, meanwhile, look set to go in another direction with Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde and Enrique’s assistant Juan Carlos Unzue emerging as the favourites to take over.

The clash gives Sampaoli one last chance to impress the Barca hierarchy, whilst the Sevilla squad are focused on booking their place in next season’s Champions League without needing to win a tricky qualifier by beating Atletico into fourth place.

Unfortunately for Sevilla, though, Messi is back after missing two games for club and country through suspension. –

Madrid