Former Real Betis Coach Pepe Mel has been appointed by Premier League side West Brom, signing an 18-month deal.
West Brom sacked Steve Clarke on December 14, 12 days after Mel left Betis. Mel originally held talks with West Brom that month but the Baggies decided to look at other options after talks stalled.
The BBC reports Mel wanted to bring his own backroom team to the Hawthorns but the Albion hierarchy was insistent he work with current caretaker manager Keith Downing and goalkeeping coach Dean Kiely.
Mel has now agreed to the terms and will watch West Brom’s game against Southampton on Saturday from the stands, taking charge for the first time a week later against Everton. He is said to be learning English.
West Brom’s sporting director, Richard Garlick, said: “I'm delighted to welcome Pepe to the club.
“His appointment concludes an extensive recruitment process during which we have cast the net far and wide to identify the most suitable candidate to take the club forward.
“Pepe was a strong contender from the outset due to his impressive achievements and has emerged as our number one candidate.
“He is a forward-thinking coach whose teams are renowned for playing an attractive and positive style of football.”
Mel left Betis with the club bottom of the League, having claimed only 10 points from 15 games and gone winless for eight matches.
The season before, Mel took Betis to seventh place in the table, having clinched promotion back to the top flight a year earlier.
West Brom are currently 14th in the Premier League with 21 points from 20 games.
