In a moment that left an entire press room in stunned silence, Real Betis head coach Manuel Pellegrini delivered a brutally honest answer to a question many had danced around for months.
During a media session ahead of the club’s preseason preparations, one reporter dared to ask what the 70-year-old manager would do if Real Betis failed to win a trophy in the upcoming 2025/26 campaign. What followed was a rare moment of candor that no one in the room expected.
“If we don’t win anything next season,” Pellegrini said, pausing as eyes locked onto him, “I will step aside.”
Gasps rippled through the room. The Chilean tactician—who has earned widespread respect during his time in Seville for turning Betis into a consistent European contender—wasn’t mincing words. For him, it’s no longer just about competing. It’s about delivering silverware.
“I’ve always believed that a manager must take full responsibility, not just for performances, but for results. The fans deserve more. This squad is capable of more. If I cannot take this team to a title, then someone else should be given the chance,” he added firmly.
Pellegrini’s statement reflects a growing sense of urgency around the club. After winning the Copa del Rey in 2022, Betis have flirted with greater success but have yet to push past the final hurdles in La Liga and European competitions. Last season’s near misses and internal frustrations with key player departures have only intensified expectations heading into the new campaign.
Club insiders reportedly were not aware Pellegrini would make such a declaration publicly, but some view it as a calculated move—an attempt to motivate the dressing room and signal to the board that real ambition must be matched by real investment.
Fan reaction has been mixed. While many supporters admire Pellegrini’s accountability and leadership, others fear it could foreshadow a premature departure from the man who has restored pride and identity to the Verdiblanco.
As the pressure mounts, one thing is clear: Pellegrini has drawn a line in the sand. The message to his players, the club hierarchy, and the fans is unmistakable—this season must bring a trophy, or it may mark the end of a remarkable chapter in Betis history.
