Mel took up coaching in 1999, going on to be in charge of several teams, mainlyRayo Vallecano and Betis, leading the latter to the second-tier championship in2011 and2015. He also worked in England withWest Bromwich Albion and Greece withOFI, being dismissed five times throughout his career.[2]
Mel played his remaining years in theSegunda División B and also inFrance, withGranada – two years –Benidorm andGetafe, splitting his final season betweenÉcija andAngers. He retired at the age of 35, with a Spanish second division tally of 215 games and 78 goals.[10][11]
In the following four seasons, Mel worked in the second level, being sacked early into2005–06 byPolideportivo Ejido.[13] Shortly after, he dropped down a tier and moved toRayo Vallecano, helping the Madrid club toreturn to the second division in his second year[14] and subsequently leading it tofifth place, with chances of promotion until the last month of competition.[15]
On 15 February 2010, after a string of poor results, Mel was dismissed by Rayo, being replaced bydirector of footballFelipe Miñambres who helped the side to the11th position.[16] In the summer, he signed with former side Betis also in the second tier,[17] leading theVerdiblancos back to the top flight in hisfirst year.[18]
Mel coached Betis to the seventh position in the2012–13 campaign, with the subsequentqualification for theUEFA Europa League. He was relieved of his duties on 2 December 2013, however, after falling to a 4–0derby loss atSevilla and conceding alast-minute 2–2 home equaliser to Rayo Vallecano.[19]
Mel obtained his first win inEnglish football after seven games, with a 2–1 victory atSwansea City on 15 March 2014.[22] On 12 May, one day after the end ofthe season where he led the Baggies to the 17th place, he left by mutual consent with a record of three wins from 17 games.[23]
Mel returned to former club Betis in December 2014, with a contract lasting until the end ofthe campaign.[24] He was the April 2015Segunda División Manager of the Month after his team won all their games, scoring 11 goals and conceding two.[25] On 24 May, after only one loss in his tenure, the league was won as champions and promotion achieved with a 3–0 win overAlcorcón.[26]
Mel was fired on 11 January 2016, with his team in 15th place following a poor run of form and also strained relationship.[27]
On 28 February 2017, Mel was appointed atDeportivo de La Coruña until the end ofthe season, replacing the sackedGaizka Garitano at a team two points above the relegation zone in the top division and winless in the new year.[28][29] He was himself dismissed on 24 October, due to poor results.[30]
Mel was named manager ofLas Palmas on 4 March 2019, replacingPaco Herrera who had been fired earlier the same day, and signed a contract until the end ofthe season.[31] On 23 January 2022, he was relieved of his duties.[32]
On 21 September 2022, Mel joinedMálaga also in the second division.[33] He was sacked the following 25 January 2023, with the club still in the relegation places.[34]
On 14 December 2023, Mel was appointed atOFI in theSuper League Greece, signing a contract until the end ofthe campaign.[35] In February 2024, however, following only one win in 12 matches and eight losses, the last being a 4–0 defeat toOlympiacos, he left by mutual agreement.[36]
On 13 March 2024, Mel took overAlmería back in his home country's top tier, becoming their third coach ofthe season afterVicente Moreno and Garitano.[37] He achieved the only three wins in the league, not being able to move from the 20th and last position (shared with Granada);[38][39] he left on 28 May after his link expired.[40]
On 16 September 2024, Mel returned to Tenerife on a one-year deal, replacing the dismissedÓscar Cano.[41] He was himself fired on 23 December after just three victories in 16 matches, in spite of having renewed his link the month before.[42][43]
^Cabrera, A. (26 June 1989)."El Castellón puso la "guinda"" [Castellón "iced the cake"].Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved13 January 2014.
^Román, Rogelio (12 May 1990)."Mel: "El Español se equivocó"" [Mel: "Español made a mistake"].Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved13 January 2014.
^"Racing: Se consumó la tragedia" [Racing: Tragedy consummated].Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 28 May 1990. Retrieved13 January 2014.
^Ríos, Ricardo (3 September 1990)."Betis y Sporting, de poder a poder" [Betis and Sporting, from strength to strength].Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved13 January 2014.
