Montella has been out of a job for just over a month after he was sacked by AC Milan in late November, with the Serie A giants enduring an underwhelming start to the season despite spending a reported €196million in the transfer market.

The former Italy international left Milan seventh in Serie A, though it has since slipped even further down the table to 11th since Gennaro Gattuso took over.

Although Sevilla has not won any of its last four games in all competitions, Montella joins with the club in a strong position,  Berizzo getting the sack despite the club sitting fifth in LaLiga and having booked passage to the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League, where it will meet Manchester United.

The dismissal of Berizzo – who had only recently returned from prostate cancer surgery – came about due to a string of poor performances and unsatisfactory results, while he is also reported to have had a strained relationship with members of the first-team squad.

Montella is still technically on gardening leave and contracted to Milan, but providing his severance negotiations with the Serie A giant go to plan, the 43 year-old will sign his contract and take charge of first-team operations a day later.

The move will see Montella link up with striker Luis Muriel – who became Sevilla's record signing in pre-season – once again, having worked together at Sampdoria.

Montella's first match in charge will be in the Copa del Rey at Cadiz on 3 January, before making his LaLiga bow three days later at home to bitter local rival Real Betis.