Betis pin hopes on coach Garrido

Juan Carlos Garrido has been charged with reversing Real Betis Balompié's Liga fortunes, the 44-year-old taking charge of the Verdiblancos until the end of the season.

UEFA Europa League contenders Real Betis Balompié have moved quickly to fill the void left by departing coach Pepe Mel, appointing former Villarreal CF and Club Brugge KV tactician Juan Carlos Garrido until the end of the season.

Garrido takes charge of the Seville-based side after they parted company with Mel on Monday, with Betis bottom of the Spanish Liga following just two wins in 15 games this term. A former B team coach at Villarreal, Garrido accepted the senior reins in February 2010. The 44-year-old led the Yellow Submarine to a fourth-place finish in his first full season as well as the UEFA Europa League semi-finals. He was relieved of his duties in December 2011 but was back in management less than a year later with Brugge, where he lasted ten months.

Their passage through to the UEFA Europa League round of 32 already assured, Betis conclude their Group I campaign at home to HNK Rijeka on 12 December.