Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido has come out in support of Manolo Jimenez following the club's Champions League exit, insisting the under-pressure coach's immediate future at the club is safe.
Sevilla have had a mixed season, lying fourth in the Primera Division standings but a massive 21 points off the top two, while they have also reached the Copa del Rey final.
They cruised through the group stages of the Champions League but saw their hopes of a first quarter-final berth ended by a 2-1 home defeat to CSKA Moscow on Tuesday.
"We already know how it can be on the terraces and in difficult times you need someone to blame," Del Nido said on Spanish television. "A section of the fans chose Jimenez, but he will continue until the end of the season because he has a contract and because he has our trust. There is no debate about him amongst the board."
Del Nido admitted CSKA were better than Sevilla on the night and deserved to progress.
"They scored more goals and in football the goal is king," he said. "We were too tense after the Russians' second goal and we couldn't turn around the 2-1 deficit. Sevilla now have to try to obtain third or fourth place (in La Liga) and play a good final in the Copa del Rey and try to win it."
Goalkeeper Andres Palop, meanwhile, has apologised to the club's fans after his error from Keisuke Honda's 25-yard free-kick helped CSKA to progress.
"I feel obliged to say sorry," he said in AS. "When there are so many people with such high hopes, I have to apologise.
"This was a very important day and I've let them down, and for this I apologise a thousand times. It was a powerful free-kick, but that's no excuse."
Spain winger Jesus Navas admits it was a huge setback to be knocked out of Europe but hopes they can still end the season on a high note. "The dressing room is very hurt. We were so keen to get through this tie, we've fought hard but it wasn't enough," he said. "The tie was very even. It was a very tough game. Now we need to be calm and think about our next match.
"It's been a tough blow but we need to lift ourselves and think about our goals in La Liga and in the final of the Copa del Rey."
