West Bromwich Albion and Pepe Mel agree to part ways

[Verdiblanco de Holanda]

West Bromwich Albion have announced that by mutual agreement, they have parted company with Spanish manager, Pepe Mel, even though he’s helped keep the club in the Premier League.

Via an announcement on their official website, WBA have announced that following a meeting between the board of directors and Pepe Mel, the decision has been reached by mutual consent, for the Spanish coach to part company with the club.

Commenting via an official statement, WBA sporting director Richard Garlick explained the decisions made.

“We would like to thank Pepe for his efforts over the past four months in helping to keep the Club in the Premier League and wish him well for the future”


“Both Pepe and the Club set out with the best intentions of making the appointment work. However, having reflected on events both on and off the field during our talks today, it became apparent that it was in the best interests of both parties for there to be an amicable parting.”


“We are grateful for the manner in which the existing coaching staff and players have rallied behind Pepe to get the Club over the line in what has proved an extremely competitive division.”


Having taken the reigns at The Hawthorns in January, following his exit from Real Betis, West Bromwich Albion won just three of his seventeen games in charge in the Premier League, although they still managed to avoid relegation.


It doesn’t look like Pepe Mel will have any difficulties finding an alternative post however, having been strongly linked to return to La Liga with Málaga. This coming in light of their current manager, Bernd Schuster, having revealed that he won’t be staying at the Costa del Sol club, beyond the end of the season, having received a job offer from Bundesliga outfit, Eintracht Frankfurt.


With Real Betis relegated and looking to rebuild completely however, though he’s denied there’s any going back to the Benito Villamarín, there’s still every chance that the new board at the club, may just try to tempt the popular manager back.

[Verdiblanco de Holanda]

Re: West Bromwich Albion and Pepe Mel agree to part ways

West Bromwich Albion have parted company with Pepe Mel after four months as the Premier League club's manager.

The 51-year-old Spaniard won just three of his 17 matches in charge as West Brom finished 17th, three points above the relegation zone.

Sporting and technical director Richard Garlick said the decision took into account events "on and off the field".

The West Midlands club were 14th when Mel signed an 18-month contract to succeed Steve Clarke in January.

Mel admitted on 9 May his future was in doubt, saying: "I'll meet with the chairman and see if the vision he has for the club is the same as mine."

The club then suffered a 2-1 home defeat by Stoke on Sunday to round off what Garlick described as a "very disappointing campaign".

He added: "Both Pepe and the club set out with the best intentions of making the appointment work. However, having reflected on events both on and off the field during our talks today, it became apparent that it was in the best interests of both parties for there to be an amicable parting.

"We are grateful for the manner in which the existing coaching staff and players have rallied behind Pepe to get the club over the line in what has proved an extremely competitive division."

West Brom said Mel had signed an 18-month deal when he arrived but the ex-Real Betis coach later claimed his contract was for only six months.

Mel's tenure at West Brom was marred by high-profile controversies off the pitch and largely poor performances on it.

West Brom under Pepe Mel

•Played: 17
•Won: 3
•Drew: 6
•Lost: 8

The club sacked striker Nicolas Anelka on 14 March after the Frenchman announced via Twitter he was quitting The Hawthorns. Anelka, 35, had been fined and suspended for five matches following his 'quenelle' goal celebration.

Mel also had to address the aftermath of a dressing room altercation between team-mates Saido Berahino and James Morrison after the 3-3 draw against Cardiff.

Cardiff had snatched a stoppage-time equaliser in the match between the two relegation rivals on 29 March.

Two weeks later, West Brom surrendered a three-goal lead to draw by the same scoreline at home to Tottenham.

West Brom have also parted company with David Gomez, a Spaniard who was added to the coaching staff at Mel's request in February.

Assistant head coach Keith Downing and goalkeeper coach Dean Kiely will remain in their current roles while the club searches for a new boss.

Garlick added: "Although we have managed to achieve a fifth successive season of Premier League football, it has been a very disappointing campaign and lessons have been learned.

"The search for a new head coach has now begun. We aim to find the most suitable candidate who, with the support of the structure we have had in place for six years and are presently strengthening, will enable the club to be more competitive next season."

[Verdiblanco de Holanda]

Re: West Bromwich Albion and Pepe Mel agree to part ways

Pepe Mel: "Betis? I have not thought about the future, but in life you do not know what can happen "

"I did not want to betray my football," he said on his departure from West Bromwich Albion

Pepe Mel , former coach of Real Betis until last December, terminated his contract yesterday at noon with West Bromwich Albion of the English Premier League and starred last night in microphones The Rail, the Cadena Ser , where he spoke of his career in England and also of Real Betis. About the Betis , Mel said "it is a painful subject for me. hurts because it's my team, where I have been for many years. It is an unpleasant situation. 's béticos we are strong, stubborn people, we love our team. But if we are all united and paddled in the same direction, the team will move forward, as came out in 2010 and went many times. Going back if I BIDDEN? I do not know, I just signed my contract termination and thought I had nothing. I have not thought much about the future, in life you can not say anything, because you never know what can happen , "said Mel.

Mel only had positive words for their experience in Premier League : "It's a wonderful experience, everyone should try to be here. The organization is wonderful, how football is lived in stages is unlike anything we know in Spain, neither better nor worse, but different. But I could not betray the essence of what I understand football is and understand that it is best to end here. They invented this game and I have a way of being, "he said. Pepe Mel hinted one of the reasons that have led to his departure from the WBA, and said "we made a difficult job. I arrived in mid-January, the club situation was unstable , had been sold to players, the problem of Anelka, who also suffer. For a week I lost my two best strikers. We had a tough schedule, all the great streak. 'm happy and proud because the team has saved despite all difficulties. It has been difficult season. One of the things that you need a coach is intelligence, if you explain one thing and the player does not see it that way, look for the formula so that you can understand and apply it, "concluded Pepe Mel.