Pepe Mel, 63, operated on successfully in Seville after stroke

Stroke and surgery in Seville

Pepe Mel, a 63-year-old Spanish coach, suffered a stroke on Sunday, 1 November, while in Spain, and was operated on in Seville. Spanish reports say Real Betis, the club he coached in two spells, announced the operation at the request of his family, and that the information came from sources at the club, as Efe also reported. The surgery was successful, and Mel is now in the intensive care unit of a hospital in the city, where he awaits further developments. He was without a club at the time of the stroke.

Coaching career

Mel coached Real Betis from July 2010 to December 2013 and again from December 2014 to January 2016, and he twice took the club up to Primera División. His managerial career also includes spells at Murcia, Tenerife, Getafe, Alavés, Rayo Vallecano, Deportivo, Las Palmas, Málaga and Almería. His most recent job was a three-month spell at Ittihad de Tánger in Morocco, from December 2025 to March 2026. He also coached OFI in Greece during the 2023-24 season, and he trained Pedri at Las Palmas before the Barcelona midfielder moved to FC Barcelona. Mel has also published several historical novels.

Messages from clubs

Clubs that employed Mel posted messages of support on X on Monday, 2 November. Las Palmas wrote on its official account:

“The big yellow family wishes him a speedy recovery. Lots of encouragement, Pepe!”

Tenerife wished him a full recovery, and Almería said it hoped to see him at its stadium soon. Málaga, Deportivo and Rayo Vallecano also published statements, and Rayo, the club where he first came to prominence as a coach in the top flight, asked him to know that the club was with him. Real Betis wrote that it was with him as well. Real Madrid, where Mel came through the youth ranks, expressed the same hope:

“We hope he overcomes this difficult moment soon. Lots of encouragement.”

Current status

As of the most recent reports, Mel remained in intensive care while doctors monitored his condition. No further medical details were given in the coverage. The club announcement described the operation as successful, and the messages from former clubs were all published on Monday. Mel's time at Ittihad de Tánger ended in March 2026, and he has been without a club since. The reports do not say how long he will stay in intensive care.