Pepe Mel's job under threat

Francie Barrett

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26362194

West Brom have held "constructive" talks over the club's poor form and say under-pressure manager Pepe Mel will work to help them avoid relegation.

Mel, 50, has not won in six games since taking charge, prompting speculation his job could be under threat.

Senior players have raised concerns over his style of play as the Baggies fight to stay in the Premier League.

Sporting director Richard Garlick said Mel and players would "do everything in their power to achieve this goal".

He described the West Midlands club's current situation as "a period of transition, which is natural following the appointment of a new head coach" and acknowledged there was "a lot of frustration at our league position and run of form".

West Brom have drawn four games and lost two under Mel, a run that has left them one point above the relegation zone.

That said, three of those home draws came against Everton, Liverpool and Chelsea - teams either fighting for the title or a place in the Champions League next season.

And in all three games, the Baggies were trailing before fighting back to earn a point.

While Mel is reportedly popular with senior players, it is understood their preference is to adopt West Brom's usual counter-attacking style, which helped them finish eighth last season and 10th the previous term.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Garlick said: "Various meetings have been held within the football department over the past few days to discuss our current situation and what needs to be done to improve results in our final 11 games.

"The discussions have proved constructive. There has been a lot of soul searching and it is clear everyone has a real hunger and desire to keep the club in the Premier League.

"Pepe, the coaching staff and players will now do everything in their power to achieve this common goal."

Former Real Betis coach Mel succeeded Steve Clarke in December, signing an 18-month contract.

6 games in and the man's job is under threat?! Nutty!

Corholio

*waits for someone to post 'It would be the right decision and the team aren't going anywhere under him'*

Oat23

It would be the right decision. The team aren't going anywhere under him.

Dempsey

Thats what happens when you manage a club in the best league in the world

Corholio

Oat23 wrote: »

It would be the right decision. The team aren't going anywhere under him.

You could have waited at least 2 posts :pac:

AgileMyth

Don't think the managers mind too much. Being sacked is part of the game now and doesn't stand against you on a CV. Nice wee payout and you'll get a job handy enough since you're already in the circle.

Look at Meulensteen. About a months work between his last two jobs and two payouts. Laughing all the way to the bank.

brevity

Clubs really need to start doing some proper reference checks before they hire managers.

eagle eye

AgileMyth wrote: »

Don't think the managers mind too much. Being sacked is part of the game now and doesn't stand against you on a CV. Nice wee payout and you'll get a job handy enough since you're already in the circle.

Look at Meulensteen. About a months work between his last two jobs and two payouts. Laughing all the way to the bank.

I can understand the Meulensteen one when you see who they got to replace him.

If West Brom have somebody decent lined up then its not a bad move.

CSF

This is bizarre.

MD1990

he got draws against Everton,Chelsea & Liverpool
what does the owner expect they have an average squad

KingJamsie

I still think Steve Clarke would have avoided relegation, also selling Long was mad

Corholio

eagle eye wrote: »

I can understand the Meulensteen one when you see who they got to replace him.

If West Brom have somebody decent lined up then its not a bad move.

Seriously? When will changing managers fail to 'not be a bad move'? After 1 game?

I fail to see even if they had a world class manager, how they could stamp their influence, adjust formations, players, tactics in just a few weeks. In my opinion, the water line of giving a manager a chance is so low these days it's utterly ridiculous.

LuckyLloyd

CSF wrote: »

This is bizarre.

It is a bit 'wtf' given that three draws out of six tough enough fixtures isn't disastrous. But really, people need to get over themselves in terms of their perceptions about how much time managers should get. The landscape has changed. There are far more qualified managers walking around than there are jobs. There are two fundamental concepts in play - rightly or wrongly:

- clubs don't value going down while retaining coaching structure with a view to coming back stronger the season after next. Even a club like West Brom who should be the poster child for this approach don't value it;
- the chairman / DOF and general structures at a club are becoming ever more important, and if they are right the manager doesn't matter so much. Swansea / City / Chelsea all big examples in that regard;

The game is changing. The outraged cries after every dismissal this year are pointless and misguided. Are Utd currently benefitting from their steadfast determination to stick it out with Moyes? Are Chelsea currently suffering from unceremoniously booting Mourinho / Grant / Scolari / AVB / Di Matteo / Benitez. Nah, they just win **** season after season.

And for a counter example like Wolves the fans were froathing at the mouth for McCarthy's dismissal at the time. They ****ing deserve their League One sojourn. West Ham fans were looking for Big Sam's head mere weeks ago too. Everyone is complicit in the way the game has changed. Media / Owners / Fans / Players.

jester77

He'll be alright, they should pick up 6 points in their next 2 games against teams that are struggling which could even push them into the top half of the table.

JPA

Strange situation. But then his appointment was quite strange. He hadn't done much to earn a move there.

thebaz

eagle eye wrote: »

I

If West Brom have somebody decent lined up then its not a bad move.

it's West Brom , at best they'll get someone on par to Mel or Clarke - the whole sacking fiasco in the EPL is a joke

CSF

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

It is a bit 'wtf' given that three draws out of six tough enough fixtures isn't disastrous. But really, people need to get over themselves in terms of their perceptions about how much time managers should get. The landscape has changed. There are far more qualified managers walking around than there are jobs. There are two fundamental concepts in play - rightly or wrongly:

- clubs don't value going down while retaining coaching structure with a view to coming back stronger the season after next. Even a club like West Brom who should be the poster child for this approach don't value it;
- the chairman / DOF and general structures at a club are becoming ever more important, and if they are right the manager doesn't matter so much. Swansea / City / Chelsea all big examples in that regard;

The game is changing. The outraged cries after every dismissal this year are pointless and misguided. Are Utd currently benefitting from their steadfast determination to stick it out with Moyes? Are Chelsea currently suffering from unceremoniously booting Mourinho / Grant / Scolari / AVB / Di Matteo / Benitez. Nah, they just win **** season after season.

And for a counter example like Wolves the fans were froathing at the mouth for McCarthy's dismissal at the time. They ****ing deserve their League One sojourn. West Ham fans were looking for Big Sam's head mere weeks ago too. Everyone is complicit in the way the game has changed. Media / Owners / Fans / Players.

Whether we agree on whether the time managers should get has decreased or not, 6 games is beyond stupid. Boards need to have a bit more conviction in their decisions.

Corholio

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

It is a bit 'wtf' given that three draws out of six tough enough fixtures isn't disastrous. But really, people need to get over themselves in terms of their perceptions about how much time managers should get. The landscape has changed. There are far more qualified managers walking around than there are jobs. There are two fundamental concepts in play - rightly or wrongly:

- clubs don't value going down while retaining coaching structure with a view to coming back stronger the season after next. Even a club like West Brom who should be the poster child for this approach don't value it;
- the chairman / DOF and general structures at a club are becoming ever more important, and if they are right the manager doesn't matter so much. Swansea / City / Chelsea all big examples in that regard;

The game is changing. The outraged cries after every dismissal this year are pointless and misguided. Are Utd currently benefitting from their steadfast determination to stick it out with Moyes? Are Chelsea currently suffering from unceremoniously booting Mourinho / Grant / Scolari / AVB / Di Matteo / Benitez. Nah, they just win **** season after season.

And for a counter example like Wolves the fans were froathing at the mouth for McCarthy's dismissal at the time. They ****ing deserve their League One sojourn. West Ham fans were looking for Big Sam's head mere weeks ago too. Everyone is complicit in the way the game has changed. Media / Owners / Fans / Players.

Creating something to suit your own argument. It hasn't been after every dismissal, far from it. I think people are fully 'over themselves' not expecting a manager to be sacked after 6 games. When that happens it says a whole lot more about the people in charge than it does about the guy they sack.

Captain Havoc

Sunderland were bottom with one point when they sacked Di Canio, they're still in the relegation zone. Palace three points from eight matches when Holloway left, they're just two points off relegation. Spurs are two places better off since AVB left. Cardiff have only picked up 5 points since Mackay was sacked leaving them in the relegation zone. West Brom find themselves no better or worse off since putting Steve Clarke on gardening leave. Fulham have sacked Martin Jol's replacement and find themselves bottom of the table. Since Di Canio's sacking there are three teams that entered the relegation zone and hung onto their managers, West Ham (now 10th), Norwich (now 14th), Stoke (now 15th). There really doesn't seem to be much argument for changing managers, Cardiff are worse off, Sunderland, Fulham and West Brom find themselves more or less in the same position, Palace and Spurs are in better positions. Of the three teams that hung onto their managers, West Ham are looking comfortable with Norwich and Stoke comfortable for now but not out of the battle.

LuckyLloyd

JPA wrote: »

Strange situation. But then his appointment was quite strange. He hadn't done much to earn a move there.

A couple of promotions to the top divison in Spain and got Betis to a Europa League spot through a full season. He's not noone.

Chucky the tree

How many games without winning is acceptable for a club just above relegation at the end of February?

gimmick

JPA wrote: »

Strange situation. But then his appointment was quite strange. He hadn't done much to earn a move there.

Worked on a tiny budget with Betis, earning them an easy promotion, a top half finish in their first season back, only to get sacked after his board sold all his best players.

Captain Havoc wrote:

There really doesn't seem to be much argument for changing managers, Cardiff are worse off, Sunderland, Fulham and West Brom find themselves more or less in the same position,

Agree on the others, but had Di Canio stayed in Charge Sunderland would be rooted to the bottom and almost rlegated at this stage.

Pro. F

I was just idly reading this thread trying to remember what his results have actually been, then I see this:

MD1990 wrote: »

he got draws against Everton,Chelsea & Liverpool
what does the owner expect they have an average squad

and they are considering his position. lol

Johner

Gone.

WBAFCofficial ‏@WBAFCofficial 1m

West Bromwich Albion have parted company with Pepe Mel by mutual consent #wba

http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/albion-part-company-with-pepe-mel-1547742.aspx

rob316

Disappointing, we might never see him again in the PL. I think they got rid because his playing style doesn't suit the squad and there might be a bit of a language barrier.
They are an average squad, fighting relegation is there level. Aren't West Brom a fairly profitable club? They badly need to spend some bucks.

HalloweenJack

Joke of a decision.

I thought he definitely got something out of them once he took over and given the summer, he could've built a solid platform for next season.

upstairs for coffee

I think he has paid for not being able to win two of his last games and also his pre match comments on Friday.

patmac

HalloweenJack wrote: »

Joke of a decision.

I thought he definitely got something out of them once he took over and given the summer, he could've built a solid platform for next season.

Clark's sacking was a bigger joke, WBA to be relegated next season.

Skylinehead

patmac wrote: »

Clark's sacking was a bigger joke, WBA to be relegated next season.

Do you know how well Steve Clark did in 2013? 7 wins from 34 matches. That's absolutely dire.

Aenaes

Not that calendar year ****e again.

Skylinehead

Aenaes wrote: »

Not that calendar year ****e again.

Ok, then look at it another way. He ended 2012/13 terribly, and started 2013/14 terribly. Better?

Moneymaker

Funny with so many sackings and the one man who deserves it more then anyone of them is safe as house.

Pardew. :mad:

CSF

Mel is going back to manage Malaga I read.