Soccer-Rubi leaves Espanyol to take over as Real Betis coach

Real Betis appointed Rubi as their new coach on a three-year deal on Thursday, with David Gallego taking his place at Espanyol. Espanyol said Rubi, 49, had paid a release clause to leave the Catalan club. He replaces Quique Setien, whose departure from Betis by mutual consent was announced in May after a two-year tenure.

Former midfielder Gallego was previously in charge of the reserve team at Espanyol. Seville side Betis ended the season 10th and three points behind seventh-placed Espanyol, who took the final Europa League qualification berth. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Christian Radnedge)