A wave of shock has swept through the Real Betis fanbase following the sudden leak of Manuel Pellegrini’s release clause — and supporters are all voicing the same concern: “He could actually leave.”
According to ABC Sevilla, the Chilean coach, who has just one year left on his contract with the club, would have to pay €8 million should he decide to join another team — with Saudi Arabian and MLS sides reportedly monitoring the situation. It’s a detail that caught many off guard, as the amount had previously remained under wraps.
The news has sparked alarm among fans, many of whom believed Pellegrini was destined to see out his project at the Estadio Benito Villamarín. Reactions online have ranged from disbelief to anxiety, with some pleading for the board to act fast and secure his future beyond 2026.
Before the season ended, Pellegrini was asked about the possibility of extending his stay. His answer, while calm and measured, now reads with a hint of ambiguity.
> “I have one more year left on my contract, which I’ve normally tried to fulfill in all my contracts throughout my career… These have been five very satisfying years, but we have to be clear about our future goals,” Pellegrini told reporters.
> “I’m very happy in Sevilla… My intention is to fulfill the contract. But at some point, if there’s a desire, we’ll talk to discuss the club’s future goals.”
Real Betis’ plan, as per the same report, is to hold talks with Pellegrini once he returns from his vacation in Chile. The veteran manager is expected to travel to Marbella — where he owns a home — before sitting down with the club’s hierarchy to negotiate a possible contract extension through to 2027.
For many fans, the urgency is clear. The leak of the buyout clause has triggered fears that foreign interest could intensify, especially from cash-rich leagues looking to lure experienced European managers.
After five seasons marked by stability, European qualification, and a Copa del Rey triumph, the idea of Pellegrini being poached — and for a fee that now seems far too reachable — is an unsettling one for Betis faithful.
Whether the club moves quickly to secure his future remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the fans aren’t taking any chances.
