Real Betis CEO Ramón Alarcón has thrown his support behind manager Manuel Pellegrini, dismissing rumors of an early exit following the club's worst run of form in recent memory.
The club's recent draw against Osasuna marked a seven-match winless streak in La Liga, distancing the Andalusian side from Champions League qualification spots.
Despite speculation that the Chilean manager could leave this June, Alarcorn stated that the club's leadership has no plans to replace him before his contract expires in 2027.
“I understand the debate among fans. It is normal to talk when there is a run like this of 5 out of 21 possible points, and Pellegrini is handling it well,” Alarcón said.
No debate in the boardroom
The executive clarified that the decision to retain the manager was finalized months ago by the club's sporting committee.
“The sporting committee, which makes the decisions, renewed the coach in November and since then that issue is not debated,” Alarcón emphasized.
He added that while performance fluctuations are natural, the club's overall position remains strong. He pointed to the team's fifth-place standing as evidence of the project's success.
“If on August 15, when the season started, you told me that with five weeks left we would be fifth... I would have signed it,” Alarcón said, referring to their current standing and Europa League progress.
The manager's future also carries implications for the Chilean national team, as his contract prevents him from taking other roles until mid-2025.
Betis now shifts focus to a critical Europa League quarter-final second leg against Braga this Thursday. Pellegrini previously noted that European commitments have placed a mental strain on his squad during domestic league play.
