Betis chief Fajardo halts Pellegrini renewal talks: "It is not on the table right now"

Real Betis have no intention of making Manuel Pellegrini's contract renewal a priority in the short term. Sporting director Manu Fajardo delivered that message on Monday during an appearance on Onda Cero, where he addressed several topics shaping the club's immediate future: the instant impact of Troy Parrott, the broader squad strategy and the contractual situation of the Chilean coach.

• Fajardo confirms there are no ongoing talks to renew Pellegrini's contract.
• The Chilean coach and several key players are tied to Betis until 2027.
• Troy Parrott's immediate adaptation has impressed the sporting director.
• Betis expect January interest in their players to generate transfer profits.
• The win over Lille has boosted confidence across the club and the fanbase.

Why Betis are not negotiating Pellegrini's contract renewal now

The club's stance is unambiguous: it is too early to sit down and discuss the manager's long-term future. Fajardo pointed out that Pellegrini's deal runs until 2027, the same timeline shared by several important members of the first-team squad, and stressed that the current focus lies elsewhere. A contract extension, he said, is not among the issues Betis are addressing at this stage.

It is too early to talk about his renewal. Like him, there are important players whose contracts end in 2027. The focus is not there right now; as of today, a renewal is not on the table.

Pellegrini himself had previously indicated that extending his stay was not a pressing matter, and the club now echoes that position without hesitation. The Chilean took charge at the Benito Villamarín in 2020 and has since established Betis as a regular contender in the upper reaches of LaLiga, while consistently guiding the team into European competition — a record that underpins the stability of the project.

Troy Parrott, the instant hit in Betis' attack

The Irish forward's adaptation has been so swift that he has skipped the usual settling-in period altogether. Fajardo admitted that many signings require patience before their performances arrive, but Parrott has been a different case: he clicked with the team's attacking structure from the very first minute, adding goals and movement since his arrival.

That explosive start does not only benefit the team on the pitch. It also feeds one of the club's key sustainability levers: generating transfer profits. The sporting director acknowledged that Betis need this type of operation to keep their model alive and said he expects other clubs to come calling for Parrott and more Betis players when the January window opens, something he would interpret as confirmation of the excellent work being done at the club.

International call-ups as a measure of the project

The sporting department also takes pride in seeing several Betis players named in their national team squads. Fajardo highlighted the cases of Facundo Bernal, Valentín Gómez and Fran García, whose international recognition he directly linked to the work carried out during the summer transfer window. For the club, that visibility is proof of smart squad building and a way to showcase players on the global stage.

Champions League win boosts confidence across the club

The opening European night of the season left a very positive mark on both the dressing room and the stands. The victory over Lille was more than just three points: it was the first match of the group phase and helped clear any doubts while strengthening collective belief. Fajardo said the team now approaches the upcoming home fixtures in Europe with real hunger, aware that the Benito Villamarín atmosphere can be a decisive factor in a competition that punishes every mistake.

Frequently asked questions about Pellegrini's future and Betis' current form