Former West Bromwich Albion manager, Pepe Mel, has undergone emergency surgery after suffering a stroke in Seville, Spain, and remains in the intensive care unit of a hospital.
The 63-year-old Spanish football coach suffered the stroke on Sunday, November 1, 2026, and was admitted to Hospital Virgen del Rocío, where he received urgent medical attention.
Sources at his former club, Real Betis, confirmed that the operation was successful, although the coach remains hospitalised and is awaiting further assessment.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, the information was communicated by sources at the La Liga club on Monday following enquiries about the former manager’s condition.
Mel is currently without a club after leaving Moroccan side Ittihad Tanger in March 2026, bringing an end to his most recent managerial assignment.
The development has generated concern across the football community, with several clubs he previously managed sending messages of support and wishing him a speedy recovery.
Real Betis, where Mel had two spells as manager, was among the clubs that expressed concern over his condition.
The Spanish club also played a role in communicating updates about his health at the request of his family.
Former club UD Las Palmas released a statement expressing support for the coach following the medical emergency.
The club said, “From UD Las Palmas, we want to send all our encouragement and affection to Pepe Mel, following the stroke he suffered, for which he underwent surgery.”
Another former club, Rayo Vallecano, also sent a message of encouragement, wishing the coach a speedy and complete recovery.
The club said it wanted to convey its support and affection to Mel following the stroke and subsequent surgery.
Other clubs associated with the coach have also expressed solidarity with him and his family as he continues to receive medical attention.
Mel has enjoyed a lengthy managerial career, taking charge of several clubs in Spain and other countries.
His coaching experience includes Real Betis, West Bromwich Albion, Deportivo La Coruña, UD Las Palmas, Málaga, Almería and Tenerife.
His relationship with Real Betis remains particularly significant, having guided the club to promotion to Spain’s top division on two occasions during his two spells in charge.
Mel also managed West Bromwich Albion in the English Premier League in 2014.
His time at the English club lasted about four months, during which he recorded three victories in 17 matches.
Despite the relatively short spell, his appointment made him one of the Spanish coaches to have managed in the Premier League.
The former manager’s current condition remains under medical observation, with no further detailed medical report released publicly.
Football supporters and former clubs are awaiting further updates, while messages of encouragement continue to reach the 63-year-old coach and his family.
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