Real Betis to appoint Manuel Pellegrini on two-year contract

The Chilean is well-respected within Spanish football having enjoyed stints at the helm of Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga.

Pellegrini – who has been out of work since leaving West Ham in December – is now the favourite to be appointed at Betis, following the dismissal of Rubi last week.

Earlier this week it was outlined by both Marca and Diario AS that the former Manchester City boss was favourite for the job in Seville.

The fresh report adds that former Monaco and Villarreal sporting director Antonio Cordon will be head up a new-look sporting department at the club.

Pellegrini coached Villarreal between 2004 and 2009 – famously steering them to the Champions League semi-final in 2006 – before his appointment at Real Madrid, whom he left after just one season having failed to win a trophy despite Los Blancos collecting 96 points in La Liga.