Emery rewarded with new deal by Sevilla

Sevilla FC coach Unai Emery will lead the UEFA Europa League winners in their title defence next season after agreeing a new two-year contract.

The former UD Almería, Valencia CF and FC Spartak Moskva tactician arrived at the southern Spanish club to replace Míchel in January 2013, steering the Hispalenses to a ninth-place Liga finish that May. Despite enduring a poor run of results at the turn of this year, Emery turned things around, his team posting a club-record six straight victories that enabled them to end the campaign in fifth.

Even better was to come for the 42-year-old Basque coach when Sevilla defeated SL Benfica 4-2 on penalties in Turin two weeks ago to claim the UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League title for a third time.

Speaking after signing the deal, which runs until the conclusion of season 2015/16, Emery said: "The confidence [between club and coach] has made us stronger. You always look to get the best [out of the players], so we always spoke about me continuing here because things have gone well. What is needed now is to maintain these performances as we look to grow. We will look for continuity in European competition while hoping to make advances in the Liga and the Copa del Rey."

As UEFA Europa League holders, Sevilla will defend their crown from the group stage onwards.