The Mendilibar Effect: How Europa League finalists Sevilla turned season around

Two months. It took José Luis Mendilibar 12 games to turn Sevilla around and become the coach with the best start in the club's history. His arrival has been a breath of fresh air for a team that was struggling to stay clear of relegation in LaLiga. In the Europa League, they were facing a tough challenge from a Manchester United. Now they are in the final, putting the Premier League side and Juventus side to the sword with some impressive displays. 

The story will be eternal if they are crowned champions of their favourite competition on May 31 in Budapest. A tough nut to crack awaits them. Jose Mourinho's Roma saw off Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen to set up a spectacular final. 

Mendilibar has hit the nail on the head. He has managed to get the best out of a squad that wasn't working. Players of the highest calibre have finally managed to put their heads together to achieve great things. "He came in with a lot of energy and desire. His quality is that ease of getting through to the players and the people," said midfielder Ivan Rakitic after reaching the final. 

12 games

The 26th matchday of the LaLiga season ended with Sevilla two points clear of relegation. There was only a two-point gap between 19th-placed Almería and the 14th-placed Pizjuán outfit. It was a critical situation for a club that had not been in such a position for a long time. 

They beat Cádiz 0-2 in a direct duel -- they were level on points at the time -- and since that day the team has soared like a rocket in the standings. Six wins, one draw and one defeat have brought them to within one point of the European places. 

Europa League

The manager made his debut in Europe's second-biggest competition at Old Trafford, in his third game in charge of the team. A first-class debut. The truth is that they struggled and found themselves 2-0 down, but Sevilla's epic performance in their competition made them draw strength from where there was none to come back. At home, the fans and the players were as one to beat United. A recital. 

It was different with Juventus. A great match in Italy and an epic in the Pizjuan was needed to reach the final with a goal in extra time. Well deserved. 

Five matches. These are all that remain for Sevilla to bring to a bizarrely increasingly spectacular season to a close following a lot of movement on the bench. On Sunday, they are visited by Real Betis in a Seville derby where they will arrive with morale sky high to continue in this state of total joy.