Pepe Mel

Castellón and Betis

Born in Madrid, Mel started his career with Real Madrid, joining the club's youth system in 1974 at the age of 11 and playing alongside the likes of Emilio Butragueño and Míchel, although he never represented the first team, only competing at senior level with the reserves. In late 1987, after a very brief spell with Osasuna, he moved to Segunda División with Castellón where he played two years, helping the Valencian Community side to return to La Liga in his second season after an absence of seven years. Mel enjoyed his best years at Real Betis, signing with the Andalusia team in 1989 and helping them to achieve promotion in his debut campaign whilst winning the Pichichi Trophy with 22 goals, one better than in the previous season at Castellón. He scored 14 times the following year, but suffered immediate relegation; his debut in the competition was on 2 September 1990, and he found the net in a 2–2 home draw against Sporting de Gijón.

Later career

Mel played his remaining years in the Segunda División B and also in France, with Granada – two years – Benidorm and Getafe, splitting his final season between Écija and Angers. He retired at the age of 35, with a Spanish second division tally of 215 games and 78 goals.

Early years and Rayo

Mel started coaching one year after retiring, his first club being amateurs Coslada in the Community of Madrid. In 2001, after one year at Real Murcia in division two, he replaced Valencia-bound Rafael Benítez at the helm of Tenerife, having his first spell in the top flight as a coach and suffering relegation. In the following four seasons, Mel worked in the second level, being sacked early into 2005–06 by Polideportivo Ejido. Shortly after, he dropped down a tier and moved to Rayo Vallecano, helping the Madrid club to return to the second division in his second year and subsequently leading it to fifth place, with chances of promotion until the last month of competition.

Betis

On 15 February 2010, after a string of poor results, Mel was dismissed by Rayo, being replaced by director of football Felipe Miñambres who helped the side to the 11th position. In the summer, he signed with former side Betis also in the second tier, leading the Verdiblancos back to the top flight in his first year. Mel coached Betis to the seventh position in the 2012–13 campaign, with the subsequent qualification for the UEFA Europa League. He was relieved of his duties on 2 December 2013, however, after falling to a 4–0 derby loss at Sevilla and conceding a last-minute 2–2 home equaliser to Rayo Vallecano.

West Bromwich Albion

On 9 January 2014, Mel signed an 18-month contract with West Bromwich Albion of the Premier League. His first match in…

Player

Castellón

Segunda División: 1988–89

Manager

Rayo Vallecano

Segunda División B: 2007–08 Betis

Segunda División: 2010–11, 2014–15

Individual

Pichichi Trophy (Segunda División): 1989–90 Segunda División Manager of the Month: April 2015