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Sevilla president Jose Castro confident sporting director Monchi will stay

Sevilla sporting director Ramon Rodriguez, known as Monchi, will be staying in his post, club president Jose Castro has said.

At the beginning of last month, Europa League winners Sevilla said they had refused to allow Monchi to leave as speculation linked him with Manchester United and Everton.

The former Sevilla goalkeeper took the position at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan in 2000, when the club were in the Segunda Division.

They have since won nine trophies, with Monchi's ability to identify and sign players playing a huge part.

Monchi's relationship with the club came under scrutiny last month, with reports of a falling-out with the hierarchy amid speculation that United wanted to bring the 46-year-old to the Premier League.

At the beginning of last month, Monchi said he could move to another club if his release clause was paid.

But Castro said the 47-year-old would be staying and told AS: "He has continued with his work and involvement.

"He has worked since that day [when he was told he could not leave], especially so in planning.

"Monchi comes into my office every 20 minutes to talk to me, so for me it is settled."

Monchi defended the club's decision to appoint Jorge Sampaoli as successor to Unai Emery, saying he backed "his message and his way of working."

"Continuing with Unai did not guarantee us titles and Jorge's arrival does not imply that we will be successful," he said.

"The future success of Sevilla will depend much upon how hard the coach works and his ability to ascertain in which direction to move the club in contracting players who he can mould to his philosophy."

Meanwhile, Sevilla's Poland international midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak is close to joining Paris Saint-Germain and reuniting with Emery.

"There are negotiations, but nothing has been confirmed," Castro said.

He added that if the player was sold, it would be "for a very significant amount that will help the club." "Players are sold for prices that the board and sports management consider appropriate," he said.