Pablo Fornals spent over four years at West Ham United and left them for Real Betis in February 2024.
The midfielder spent his career in Spain before moving to the Premier League club in June 2019, when Manuel Pellegrini was in charge. A few months later, West Ham released the manager, and he returned to the bench with Real Betis in July 2020. A move to the La Liga side saw Fornals reunite with the Chilean.
The Spain international has been speaking to RTV Betis and Estadio Deportivo have relayed his comments.
He explained Pellegrini played a huge role in his arrival at West Ham, and also spoke about his exit from the London club.
“He’s personally given me two of the best experiences of my life,” he said.
“He’s taken me to England, where I’ve been very happy; it’s true that not with him, because he was sacked shortly after I arrived there. He gave me that opportunity and gave me playing time from the very beginning so I could consolidate myself. He also agreed to let me come to Betis, and it’s clear that for me personally it was a great decision and a great success.”
The 29-year-old was part of the Real Betis’ squad that lost last season’s UEFA Conference League final to Chelsea. The Spanish club are in the Europa League this season and are a step close to the Champions League.
West Ham: “Four and a half very intense years”
After speaking about this ambition with Real Betis, he discussed his Conference League success with the Hammers in 2023.
“Yes, also with that ambition that my time in England was over, at least at West Ham. And with that ambition of wanting to compete again, to play,” Fornals explained.
The Spaniard played 203 games for the English club, managing 23 goals and 19 assists. When asked if he’s a West Ham legend, Fornals suggests he was edged out of the club.
“It was four and a half very intense years in which we experienced everything. The first year we were saved with two games to go. Then we qualified for the Europa League, played in the UEL semi-finals, won a Conference League,” he added.
“Little by little, the club grew so much that there was no longer room for the old players. They appreciate that, as I do here, there will be better days. There will be worse days, days when I will be more successful or less so. I think the Betis fans have already seen that for me, playing football is about competing.
“It’s about running, it’s about giving it your all; there will be days when it will be appreciated, other days when it won’t, other days when I’ll make an assist, other days when I’ll score a goal and other days when nothing will happen. For my part, I’ll always give my all, and they appreciate that.”
