West Brom part company with Mel by mutual consent

Pepe Mel’s five-month reign as West Brom boss was brought to an end yesterday when the Premier League club confirmed the Spaniard had departed by mutual consent.

Mel, who replaced the sacked Steve Clarke in January, succeeded in his mission to save the club from relegation but never appeared to win the wholesale support of the Baggies’ hierarchy.

Former Norwich boss Chris Hughton and Malky Mackay, who ended his legal battle with former club Cardiff last week, were immediately installed as two of the bookmakers’ favourites to replace Mel.