Joaquín Caparrós hopes to return to the Sánchez-Pizjuán in January

Joaquín Caparrós, Sevilla’s honorary president, is still on the sidelines and is hoping to return to the Sánchez-Pizjuán at the start of January, after being diagnosed last June with colon cancer.

In an interview with Onda Cero, the Utrerano thanked the support he has been receiving from fans and across football. “I have to thank the media and everyone, it’s spectacular when I walk down the street… Even people from the other team, Betis… tell me things and support me.” He also described the help as “a real boost of energy and motivation”, adding that he is following doctors’ instructions “to the letter”.

His return, if all goes well

Caparrós has been away from the stadium for a while and made it clear he will not attend until “the first part of the year”. Last week he received an honour linked to the Spain–Croatia match in Seville: the RFEF held an event at Sevilla’s training ground and Rafael Louzán presented him with a commemorative Spain shirt.

Remembering Sevilla’s rise

He also looked back at the club’s most successful era starting with promotion to LaLiga in 2000–01, when Roberto Alés, Monchi and himself helped set the direction, stressing that “success came down to people” and working as a united group.