Last updated on .From the section European Football

Real Betis have appointed Gabriel Calderon as their new coach after sacking Juan Carlos Garrido on Sunday.

Garrido, 44, was in charge for just six weeks after replacing Pepe Mel - who has since joined West Brom - but oversaw four defeats in his five La Liga matches.

Former Saudi Arabia coach Calderon will take over until the end of the season with the option for a further year.

Betis are five points adrift at the bottom of the Spanish top flight.

Pepe Mel guided Betis to seventh last season

Calderon coached French side Caen and Swiss club Lausanne before helping Saudi Arabia qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He has also managed various club sides in the Middle East.

The 53-year-old previously played for Betis between 1983 and 1987 and represented Argentina at the 1982 and 1990 World Cups.

"This has always been my dream," he said. "I did not have a particular date in mind but when a delicate situation like this occurs I came running.

"Betis needs all its supporters. When a loved one is sick we all join forces to help."

Betis finished seventh in La Liga under Mel last term and face Russian side Rubin Kazan in the Europa League's last 32 next month.