Real Betis unveil new coach Cuper, announce signings

Real Betis coach Hector Cuper said he was aiming to ensure there would be no repetition of last season's struggle against relegation when he took charge of the Primera Liga side on Monday.

"I'll be working hard to ensure we don't experience any difficulties and to ensure that we can construct a team with personality that will win games," the former Inter and Valencia coach said.

"Our first target is to get 40 points and then we can start setting new objectives."

The 51-year-old Argentine, whose last coaching job was at Real Mallorca, has signed a one-year contract with the troubled Andalucian club.

Betis announced that Cuper's appointment would be followed by the recruitment of several new players as they bid to strengthen a team that only just avoided the drop last season.

Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo, Chile winger Mark Gonzalez, Argentine forward Mariano Pavone and Croatia midfielder Marko Babic are among the new signings.

Cuper said: "Ricardo is a keeper with a great character, Pavone is experienced and has scored a lot of goals in Argentina and Mark Gonzalez has a great future ahead of him."

Betis had a poor start to their last campaign with coach Javier Irureta throwing in the towel in December as the team failed to live up to expectations.

Former French international Luis Fernandez stepped into the breach but left after a humiliating 5-0 home defeat by Osasuna in the penultimate game of the season.