'World is going mad': Fans in shock as Real Betis sack manager ONE HOUR after win at Real Madrid
Once tipped to be the next Barcelona boss, Quique Setien has been fired by La Liga side Real Betis just an hour after his side secured a win against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on the last day of the Spanish domestic season.
The Seville-based club announced the conclusion of Setien's tenure as boss almost immediately following his side's 2-0 away win against Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid, with goals from Loren Moron and Jese evidently not enough to secure another season in charge for the 60-year-old at the Estadio Benito Villamarín.
Setien had been a hot property in Spanish football since he forged his reputation with (relative) minnows Las Palmas, where he drew plaudits for the exciting, attractive brand of football his teams played. His first season at Betis was marked by an impressive sixth-placed finish, with the 60 goals his team scored good for the fourth-best record in the division.
A year ago, Setien was being talked up as a potential candidate for the Spain or Barcelona jobs. Real Betis confirmed his departure on social media, posting a picture of their former boss accompanied by the words "Gracias, Quique".
Camp Nou ✅ 3-4Bernabeu ✅ 0-2Quique Setien is the first manager to win away at Barça and Real Madrid in the same season since 2003! 🙌#RealMadridRealBetispic.twitter.com/5iPxDYi4I2
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) May 19, 2019
1- Real Betis boss Quique Setien is the first away manager to win at Santiago Bernabeu and Camp Nou in a single LaLiga season since Gregorio Manzano for Mallorca in 2002/03. Intensity. pic.twitter.com/fiqh1z9Gi7
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) May 19, 2019
This season, Setien's second in charge, wasn't quite as successful as his first. Their final position of tenth in the division wasn't quite as impressive as last season suggested it may have been, though the Spanish manager did become the first boss to win away at Barcelona and Real Madrid in a single season since 2003.
Sunday's win against Real Madrid marks the second time in as many seasons that Tetien's side emerged from the Santiago Bernabeu with three points, though apparently this is an achievement insufficient to continue his employment with the club - a fact which has left some fans of the club scratching their heads.
Real Betis actually sacked Quique Setien, wow. He took them from barely staying in the league to actually having a personality and beautiful football. Ungrateful fans. Let's hope they get relegated next season. #SetienAlBarca
— Lord Kit (@TacitusKillgore) May 19, 2019
"You have to live in the city of Sevilla to understand it.” - Quique Setién, May 19 2019.
— David Cartlidge (@davidjaca) May 19, 2019
Just to add Real Betis have just sacked Quique Setién, the same day they beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu for the second succesive year. World is going mad
— Callum Bradke (@calBradke) May 19, 2019
Quique Setien with back to back wins at Santiago Bernabeu. If there was ever an audition for the job of FC Barcelona's head coach, Setien would finish top 1.He also outclassed our beloved Ernesto Valverde earlier in the season at Camp Nou. Bring SetienBall to Camp Nou, I beg.
— SJ (@SweeperWriter) May 19, 2019
Ultimately though, Setien appears to be paying the price of an unsuccessful climax to the season which saw them claim wins in just three of their final eleven games, particularly when you consider that they were in fifth position as recently as December.
"Everyone gets frustrated when you lose games, but our fans would have enjoyed today a lot," Tetien said to assembled media upon the final whistle on Sunday, appearing to suggest he knew his time in charge of the club was limited.
"All clubs fans are like that. If Madrid had won well today, they would be thinking more positively.
"It is clear that the passion of Betis fans goes a bit against a guy from the north like me, who is much more for explaining things with common sense. There was a misunderstanding, above and beyond football things.
"In the end it was me who had to change, and I must reflect on this and try to improve it."
Real Betis confirmed following a 4-0 defeat to Levante in late April that Tetien would remain in charge of the club for the remainder of the season - and they have proved good to their word, almost to the minute.
