La Liga outfit Real Betis have this evening announced a series of appointments in the club’s boardroom.
As much comes following the departure of the highly-regarded Ramón Planes from his post as Sporting Director last month.
In his place, the Verdiblancos have opted to promote Manu Fajardo, who made his way to the Estadio Benito Villamarín last summer, to act as Technical Secretary.
In addition, Miguel Calzado has been moved into the position of Director of Football Training.
Calzado has been on the books of Betis since all the way back in 2017, and most recently filled the role of Youth Football Director.
Both Fajardo and Calzado will now report directly to club CEO Ramón Alarcón.
Betis’ lengthy statement regarding the restructuring process can be read in its entirety below:
‘Real Betis Balompié has restructured the organization of its sports area after the departure last January of the previous manager, Ramón Planes. The Club’s board of directors has made a commitment to the in-house professionals to strengthen the successful sports model that has given such good results in recent seasons.
‘In this way, Manu Fajardo has been named Sports Director of professional football and Miguel Calzado reinforces his position as Director of training football. Both executives will report directly to the CEO of Real Betis, Ramón Alarcón. Both Fajardo and Calzado will have a determining role in the Club’s sports commission. Likewise, Álvaro Ladrón de Guevara will occupy the position of Green and White Technical Secretary, in close collaboration with Manu Fajardo.
‘The new Real Betis sports structure will reinforce the Club’s commitment to the improvement and professionalization of all areas that affect football performance. Departments such as the first team, the technical secretariat, the application of new technologies and Big Data or the international network of relations with clubs and agencies will depend on the Sports Management of professional football. The Training Football Directorate will enhance the work that is already being done in recruitment, methodology and the analysis unit, in addition to improving the work of training and management of the residence, key to the recruitment and development of better footballers. The new facilities at the Rafael Gordillo Sports City represent an exponential improvement in the possibilities of the Green and White youth football. Key elements such as physical preparation, medical services, physiotherapy and recovery, performance analysis, nutrition and psychology will also be enhanced for the entire Club structure.’
Conor Laird | GSFN
