Betis back in the big time

After 18 months of turmoil on and off the pitch, Real Betis are back in the big time. Lasting just short of 10 months, La Segunda can be a gruelling division, but Los Verdiblancos’ title success stemmed from a remarkable run of form between December and May. It’s no coincidence that December is the month that Pepe Mel was re-appointed Coach following a one-year hiatus from the club.

Having been sacked in December 2013 – a decision which was met with universal criticism – Betis went through four different Coaches, suffered a relegation and by late November were languishing in seventh. Mel rejuvenated the beleaguered Andalucians and repeated the feat of his first spell at the club by leading them to the second-tier title.

The club went on a remarkable run of 19 wins and only one defeat in 26 League outings after turning back to the former West Brom boss. A unifying figure, his calming influence guided Betis to the promised land, and his tears when promotion was confirmed, with two matchdays remaining, said it all.

Betis scored 24 goals more than Eibar, who had won La Segunda the previous year, and 51 of their league strikes came through veteran striking pair Ruben Castro – the division’s top scorer – and Jorge Molina, both aged 33.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given their budget, Betis possessed comfortably the strongest squad in the League. Former Real Madrid No 2 Antonio Adan had a superb season, protected by a strong and experienced defence with Senegal international Alfred N’Diaye anchoring the midfield and young stars such as 18-year-old Dani Ceballos being allowed to prosper.

Investment continues to pour into the squad, with Rafael van der Vaart – capped 109 times by Netherlands – arriving from Hamburg and links to former winger Joaquin, who is entering the last year of his contract with Fiorentina, also transpiring. Mel has a strong track record of managing players in the twilight of their careers, as evidenced with Castro and Molina, while their transfer activity shows the significant pull that Betis still possess. Other targets include Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah and Juventus defender Angelo Ogbonna, both thought to be interested in loan deals to Benito Villamarin.

Despite playing outside of La Liga, Betis had the sixth-highest average attendance in Spain last season – averaging over 33,000 per home game and outnumbering those of fierce rivals Sevilla. This is a club whose ambitions outrank their recent achievements and are every inch a top-flight club. The return of the Seville derby next season will give an extra dimension to what already promises to be the most exciting Primera in years.

La Liga - Club News