Pepe Mel
Encyclopedia
José "Pepe" Mel Pérez is a retired Spanish
footballer who played as a striker, and the current manager of Real Betis
.
- joining Real Madrid
's youth system at the age of 11, in 1974, he never represented however the first team - playing alongside the likes of Emilio Butragueño
and Míchel. In 1987, after a very brief spell with CA Osasuna
(he did make his official debuts), he moved to Segunda División
with CD Castellón
, where he played two years, helping the Valencian Community
side 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 team in 1989, and helping the Andalusia
ns promote in his debut campaign, whilst winning the Pichichi Trophy with 22 goals (one better than in the previous season, at Castellón). In the following year, he played his first - and only - season in the top level, scoring 14 times but suffering immediate relegation back.
Mel played his remaining years in the third division
, in his country but also in France
, successively representing Granada CF
(two years), Benidorm CF and Getafe CF
, splitting his final season with Angers SCO
and Écija Balompié
and retiring at the age of 35, amassing Spanish second division totals of 195 games and 73 goals.
, in the Community of Madrid. After one year at Real Murcia
in division two, in 2001, he replaced Valencia CF
-bound Rafael Benítez
at the helm of CD 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 the 2005–06 season
by Polideportivo Ejido
. Shortly after, he dropped down a level and moved to Rayo Vallecano
, helping the Madrid outfit return to the second division in his second year, subsequently leading the side to the fifth place, with chances of promotion until the very last month of competition.
On 15 February 2010, after a string of poor results, Mel was sacked by Rayo, being replaced by director of football
Felipe Miñambres
, who helped the club to the 11th place
. In the summer, he signed with former side Betis, also in the "silver category", leading the Verdiblancos back to the top division in his first year
.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who played as a striker, and the current manager of Real Betis
Real Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
.
Playing career
Mel started his senior career at Real Madrid CastillaReal Madrid Castilla
Real Madrid Castilla is a Spanish football team that plays in the Segunda División B. It is the reserve team of Real Madrid. They play their home games at Alfredo di Stéfano Stadium....
- joining Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
's youth system at the age of 11, in 1974, he never represented however the first team - playing alongside the likes of Emilio Butragueño
Emilio Butragueño
Emilio Butragueño Santos is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a striker.He was best known for his spell with Real Madrid...
and Míchel. In 1987, after a very brief spell with CA Osasuna
CA Osasuna
Club Atlético Osasuna, known as Osasuna, is a Spanish football team based in Iruñea-Pamplona, in the autonomous community of Navarre.Founded in 1920, it currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at the 19,553-capacity Estadio Reyno de Navarra...
(he did make his official debuts), he moved to Segunda División
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
with CD Castellón
CD Castellón
Club Deportivo Castellón, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Castellón de la Plana, in the Valencian Community. Founded in 1922, it currently plays in Tercera División – Group 6, holding home games at Nou Estadi Castalia, which has a capacity of 16,000.-History:Football first appeared in...
, where he played two years, helping the Valencian Community
Valencian Community
The Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain located in central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Valencia...
side return to La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
in his second season, after an absence of seven years.
Mel enjoyed his best years at Real Betis
Real Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
, signing with the team in 1989, and helping the Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
ns promote in his debut campaign, whilst winning the Pichichi Trophy with 22 goals (one better than in the previous season, at Castellón). In the following year, he played his first - and only - season in the top level, scoring 14 times but suffering immediate relegation back.
Mel played his remaining years in the third division
Segunda División B
Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division...
, in his country but also in France
Championnat National
The Championnat de France National, commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, serves as the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
, successively representing Granada CF
Granada CF
Granada Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 14 April 1931, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home matches at Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes....
(two years), Benidorm CF and Getafe CF
Getafe CF
Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez....
, splitting his final season with Angers SCO
Angers SCO
Angers Sporting Club de l'Ouest is a French association football club based in Angers. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second division of French football having achieved promotion to the league in 2007. Angers play its home matches at the Stade Jean Bouin located...
and Écija Balompié
Écija Balompié
Écija Balompié, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Écija, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1968, it currently plays in Segunda División B - Group 4.-Season to season:----*2 seasons in Segunda División...
and retiring at the age of 35, amassing Spanish second division totals of 195 games and 73 goals.
Manager career
Mel started coaching one year after retiring, his first club being amateurs CD CosladaCD Coslada
Club Deportivo Coslada is a Spanish football team based in Coslada, in the autonomous Community of Madrid. Founded in 1972, it plays in Preferente, holding home games at Estadio Municipal El Olivo, with a capacity of 2,500 seats.-Season to season:----...
, in the Community of Madrid. After one year at Real Murcia
Real Murcia
Real Murcia Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the region of Murcia. Founded in 1908, it currently plays in the second division, playing home matches at Estadio Nueva Condomina, which can hold 33,045 spectators....
in division two, in 2001, he replaced Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
-bound Rafael Benítez
Rafael Benítez
Rafael "Rafa" Benítez Maudes is a football manager, and former player. He is currently unemployed, after leaving as manager of Internazionale in December 2010....
at the helm of CD Tenerife
CD Tenerife
Club Deportivo Tenerife, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in Tenerife . Founded in 1922, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López, with a 24,000-seat capacity.-History:Club Deportivo Tenerife was founded in...
, 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 the 2005–06 season
2005–06 Segunda División
-Classification 2005–06:-Relegated to Segunda División B:* UE Lleida -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 3* Ferrol -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 1* Eibar -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 4...
by Polideportivo Ejido
Polideportivo Ejido
Club Polideportivo Ejido, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in El Ejido, Province of Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1969, it currently plays in Segunda División B – Group 4....
. Shortly after, he dropped down a level and moved to Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D., often abbreviated to Rayo, is a Spanish football team based in Madrid, in the neighbourhood of Vallecas...
, helping the Madrid outfit return to the second division in his second year, subsequently leading the side to the fifth place, with chances of promotion until the very last month of competition.
On 15 February 2010, after a string of poor results, Mel was sacked by Rayo, being replaced by director of football
Director of football
"Director of football" is a term describing a senior management figure at a football club, most commonly used in Europe. The exact nature of the role is often unclear and extremely variable and causes much debate in the sports media...
Felipe Miñambres
Felipe Miñambres
Felipe Miñambres Fernández is a retired Spanish footballer who played as an attacking midfielder, and a current manager....
, who helped the club to the 11th place
2009–10 Segunda División
The 2009–10 Segunda División was made up of the following teams:-League table:||rowspan=15 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|-2009–10 Results:To read this table, the home team is listed in the left-hand column....
. In the summer, he signed with former side Betis, also in the "silver category", leading the Verdiblancos back to the top division in his first year
2010–11 Segunda División
-Personnel and sponsorship:-Managerial changes:-League table:||style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=11 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|-Positions by round:Source: -Results:...
.