Real Betis coach Setien: I'd give my team a 10 out of 10 in 2018

As 2018 comes to a close, Real Betis coach Quique Setien was keen to praise his team and staff for the hard work that they have put in over the past 12 months.

It has taken the Seville based club into Europe again, reaching the knock-out stages of the Europa League.

"I'd give it a 10 out of 10, exactly that," the coach said happily.

"Seeing things with perspective, I remember how Betis was when we arrived and I see it now... It's been an extraordinary year.

"I don't know if it's possible that there are people thinking that we should be at the top of playing in the Champions League.

"The change that this team has had at every level is extraordinary, I don't know if you can improve it, maybe yes, surely, but it's not easy."

When asked what he hoped for in 2019, the coach was equally realistic as well as optimistic.

"Rest and facing the month of January which will be very difficult, like February, with the same energy, strength and hope," he wished.

"In sporting terms, win every game, but that surely won't happen, I usually ask to win the next game, do things well, try to keep my team's performances stable.

"What happens in the long-term is hard to control."

The coach also reflected on recent praise from former Barcelona midfielder Xavi, who chose Betis as one of his favourite teams to watch in an interview with MARCA.

"It seems great to me, I'm sure that he perfectly understands what we are doing, that work is hard and the effort that we are putting in to all understand what we do," he responded.

Betis' final fixture of 2018 takes place at the Estadio Benito Villamarin against Eibar.