Sevilla promotes Jimenez

MADRID (Reuters) - Sevilla have promoted Manuel Jimenez to replace Juande Ramos as coach until the end of the season, the Primera Liga club said on Saturday.

Ramos, who led the club to back-to-back UEFA Cup triumphs over the last two seasons, unilaterally rescinded his contract on Friday, paving the way for a probable move to take over the vacant position at Tottenham Hotspur.

The 43-year-old Jimenez is a former Spain and Sevilla left back who made 354 top-flight appearances for the Andalucian outfit, a club record, over 14 seasons.

He has coached Sevilla Atletico, the club's B team, for over seven years and has been a central figure in helping develop their impressive stock of home-grown talent.

"When I became a coach I had one goal, to be the coach of Sevilla, and they have given me the chance to direct the team I have always supported," Jimenez told a news conference.

"The club has the resources to go for anyone they wanted but they have gone for me."

Club president Jose Maria del Nido thanked Ramos for his contribution to the club's recent success but was keen to look to the future.

"Despite the serious damage caused to the club by Ramos's unilateral decision to abandon us during the season, I want to thank him for two years and four months of marvellous service," Del Nido said.

"What I have to say to Ramos I will tell him directly. Jimenez's appointment was a unanimous decision of the board. He already knows his way around and has been accepted by the squad with open arms."