Francisco Chaparro Jara

Football career

After a playing career that ended at the age of 30 due to a knee injury, and with the biggest accomplishment being appearing for Rayo Vallecano in Segunda División, Chaparro began his senior coaching career with Extremadura CF also in that level. He subsequently moved to the lower leagues where he worked with Cádiz CF, Granada CF and Écija Balompié (where he would serve in several capacities and in different seasons) and Xerez CD back in division two, before arriving at Andalusia neighbours Real Betis' youth ranks.

Subsequently, Chaparro worked as an assistant at the Verdiblancos. In the final day of the 2006–07 season he replaced sacked Luis Fernández at the helm of the first team, leading it to a 2–0 away win against Racing de Santander as the club narrowly avoided La Liga relegation. The reserves, which he also coached, would manage to promote to the third level.

Chaparro returned to the B's for the 2007–08 campaign, but was again called for main squad duties after Héctor Cúper only managed 11 points from 14 matches; his first game in charge was a 1–0 success at Villarreal CF, Betis retained their top flight status and he had his contract renewed for another year.

On 6 April 2009, after five consecutive draws (the last a 3–3 home tie against CD Numancia) and two months without a win, Chaparro was sacked by Betis, which would eventually be relegated.