West Bromwich Albion appoint Pepe Mel as new manager

West Bromwich Albion have appointed Pepe Mel as their new manager.

The Spanish coach has been given the job on an 18-month contract, and the club have released a statement on their website welcoming the arrival of their new boss.

The statement read: "Albion are delighted to announce they have appointed Pepe Mel as their new head coach.

"The 50-year-old Spaniard has signed an 18-month contract and takes over the reins from Keith Downing, who took charge of the team in a caretaker capacity five games ago.

"Mel arrives at The Hawthorns with 14 years' coaching experience in Spanish football, having steered previous club Real Betis to a seventh-place finish in La Liga last term and qualification for the Europa League."

Downing had been taking charge of West Brom since the sacking of Steve Clarke last month.