Who is Matias Almeyda? How Can His Tactics Transform Sevilla?

Following the 2024-25 season, we have seen quite a few managerial changes across the top competitions. From Xabi Alonso’s first tenure with Real Madrid to Inzaghi’s departure from Inter, props to these changes, club football will be more entertaining and interesting next season. One of the recent managerial changes coming from La Liga is Sevilla’s appointment of Matias Almeyda.

As a player, Matias spent one campaign with Sevilla after joining the Spanish club from River Plate back in 1996. In his playing career, he also played for Lazio, Parma, and Inter Milan. However, he finished his playing career back at River Plate. And it is there where he began his managerial career.

On 16th June, 2025, Sevilla appointed the services of the manager, signing a three-year contract. After spending the last couple of campaigns at AEK Athens, this is a big step for the Argentine. But who is Matias Almeyda as a coach? What are his coaching tactics? Is he a good fit for Sevilla? We have all the answers for you in our article.

Matias Almeyda Tactics and Style of Play

What are the Matias Almeyda Tactics? Matias’ coaching philosophy is more about intensity, along with offensive intent and structure. In his playing days, he was a midfielder. Naturally, he emphasizes work rate, passing, and positional awareness, something we have seen him prioritize in AEK Athens. His tactical identity draws from the fundamentals of Argentine football, which has a touch of European modern football elements, such as rapid transitions and intense pressing.

Matias Almeyda Formation

What can the Matias Almeyda Formation look like? Both at AEK Athens and River Plate, deploying a 4-1-3-2 and 4-3-3 was a go-to option for the manager. For him, it served the right balance between offense and defense. In AEK Athens in particular, 4-1-3-2 with a defensive midfielder served him well. Moreover, the dynamic midfielder and two quality strikers up front brought him consistent results.

However, for the games where he needed to control the tempo, he would switch to 4-2-3-1 or 3-5-2. Both of these were specifically useful due to the dense midfield. Irrespective of which formations he employed, the idea was always collective pressing and quality passing.

Key Tactical Trait

• Matias’s approach in the game generally comes with a high pressing to deny quality build-up for the opponents.
• In addition to pressing, quick passing with intent is a staple of his playing style.
• No matter what the formation is, the full-backs are generally given the green light to be forward and help with overlapping runs and transitions.
• Positioning rotation is also a staple in his playing style, particularly for the central trio.
• Compact defense is one of the biggest highlights in Almeyda’s approach, even when his team is pressing for the ball.

Also Read: Who is Gian Piero Gasperini? How Can His Tactics Transform AS Roma?

Matias Almeyda Trophies and Achievements

Matias Almeyda is one of the rare managers in modern football who has won a lot of trophies both as a player and a manager. Since we are talking about his managerial profile, we will take a look at the accolades won as a manager. His track record speaks for itself. Given his experience in managing different clubs, he brings a lot of promise for Sevilla. From Mexico to Greece, the Argentine’s silverware track record shows a lot of promise for Sevilla:

Club	Trophy/Achievement	Year
CA River Plate	Campeon Primera Nacional	2011-12
CA Banfield	Campeon Primera Nacional	2013-14
Deportivo Guadalajara	Mexican Cup Winner Clausura	2016-17
Deportivo Guadalajara	Mexican Cup Winner Apertura	2015-16
Deportivo Guadalajara	Mexican Cup Winner	2016-17
Deportivo Guadalajara	Mexican Clausura Champion	2016-17
Deportivo Guadalajara	CONCACAF Champions League Winner	2017-18
AEK Athens	Greek Cup Winner	2022-23
AEK Athens	Greek Champion	2022-23

Is Matias Almeyda the Right Fit for Sevilla?

There is no doubt that Sevilla needs a fresh approach to the team. Known as one of the dominant forces in the UEFA Europa League, the club has now lost its competitive identity. From defensive lapses to inconsistency in the midfield, along with managerial faults have seen poor results in recent times. There is no doubt that the Argentine’s arrival will change things for good, not only in terms of the playing approach but the mindset in the locker room as well.

It certainly won’t be Matias’s first rodeo, given he has been in the reconstruction scenario and thrived in it. The Argentine brings clarity, energy, and a defined playing style, which Sevilla could thrive in. Moreover, he has a record of getting the best out of the players, even the ones who are struggling to find their rhythm in the team.

Along with his charisma with the squad to his tactical prowess, he will surely introduce a new Sevilla to the league that will compete for the top spot.

How could Sevilla lineup look under Matias Almeyda?

The 51-year-old manager spent the last couple of seasons at AEK Athens. There, he won the domestic double in the first season. He joined the Greek side right after departing from the San Jose Earthquakes. Sevilla avoided relegation last season by a mere 1 point.

Even though Joaquin Caparros somehow managed to keep the team in the league after Garcia Pimienta’s sacking, it is time for Sevilla to rise from the ashes. And who can do it better than Matias Almeyda!

How Matias Almeyda Tactics Could Work?

Given how the league has adapted to football all these years, one of the biggest advantages that Almeyda would get is that he could play his favorite 4-1-3-2 formation with Sevilla. The CDM will be able to break up plays and initiate transitions, while the wide midfielders will press high and offer width. Moreover, the constant movement from the forwards, especially when the wing-backs overlap, will give the opposition defense a lot of problems.

Moreover, in times when he needs to approach the game with a strong hold in midfield, he can consider the 3-5-2 formation with players playing in different positions.

The Argentine is more of a tactical innovator. The clubs he has managed so far have introduced a new approach to their game, which reflects his intelligence and identity. While Sevilla hiring Matias might seem like a bold move, it is to welcome a new approach that will work for years after the Argentine gets the backing of the hierarchy. Of course, adapting to La Liga is not a week’s task, but looking at his track record, it might be a matter of a few games for the Argentine to get a hold of the league and his team.

Also Read: Who is Simone Inzaghi? Learn About His Transformative Tactics