Real Betis President Miguel Guillen has heaped praise on boss Pepe Mel and says he would like him at the club for the next 15 years.
Betis have won three of their first four fixtures of the new La Liga season and, currently sitting in sixth spot, will move into second if they can defeat Atletico Madrid in Wednesday’s rearranged game at the Benito Villamarin.
However, Guillen [pictured] is looking much further than the next match and maintains he would like 49-year-old Mel to oversee Los Beticos long-term.
“Mel is loved, recognised, and above all is the Coach in charge of our project. He is showing his capabilities and has the confidence of everyone at the club,” Guillen told Cadena Cope.
“In a sporting sense he has been the most important person for us alongside the playing squad and I’m convinced he will raise the quality of the team.
“I dream that he will be Betis’ Coach for the next 15 years.”
The Andalusians are still in administration and Guillen maintained he will continue as President ‘until so determined by the Court of Instruction No 6, which has placed its confidence in me’.
He also admitted that the summer marquee signing announced by the club that did not materialise was that of Benfica winger Nolito.
“We tried to bring in a big-name capture because we are required to excite our fans and put together a squad that is of higher quality, but unfortunately it was not to be,” confessed Guillen.
On the possible departure of highly-coveted Spanish international midfielder Benat, who this week was again linked with a move to Wolfsburg, he made the club’s position clear.
“He will only be leaving if the rescission clause of €20m is met.”
