Betis unveil Quique Setien as new coach
Former Las Palmas coach Quique Setien has agreed a three-year deal to take charge of Real Betis from next season, the club announced on Friday.
Former Las Palmas coach Quique Setien has agreed a three-year deal to take charge of Real Betis for the new season, the southern Spanish club announced on Friday.
Betis confirm Setien appointment with statement
"Real Betis has signed Spanish coach Quique Setien as the green and whites new coach for the next three seasons,' the club said in a statement.
The 58-year-old guided Las Palmas to safety in both of the club's campaigns in the top flight over the past two years, whilst instilling an entertaining, lively style of football which has been widely lauded by fans and the media across Spain. Betis acknowledged that the islanders' effervescent brand of football played a big part in choosing Setien as they hope to bring the fans back to one of the best supported sides in Spain.
"With the arrival of Setien, Real Betis are backing a style of play closer to that demanded by the Betis fans" the Sevilla-based outfit added.
After an excellent start to the season, Las Palmas' form collapsed after Setien controversially announced he was leaving the club back in March due to 'insurmountable differences' in negotiations over a new contract. The Canary Islanders lost their last five games to finish 14th in La Liga. Betis meanwhile finished a disappointing campaign in which both Gus Poyet and Victor Sánchez del Amo were sacked as coaches, just behind them in 15th.
Setien told reporters that one of his first tasks will be chatting to each member of the squad individually - and in particular to Dani Ceballos, who has been linked to Real Madrid. "I am very grateful to be given this opportunity to coach at this huge club. I know where I have come from - and I have visited this stadium manay times and seen what Betis fans are like at first hand. I will try to live up to all expectations", he said. As for Ceballos, the coach added: "The club feels that Ceballos is a reference and pillar on which any project can be based. I will try to convince him that he's still young and can continue growing as a player. The fans love him and the playing style we plan to develop here will really suit him".