Spanish top division side Deportivo La Coruna on Tuesday parted ways with their head coach Pepe Mel following the team’s indifferent start to the 2017/18 La Liga season.
Deportivo only on Monday night suffered their third home loss of the 9-week old season against newly promoted Girona at the Estadio Riazor, a result which left them two points and two places above the relegation zone.
The club thus fired the former West Brom boss, Mel the day after the ill-fated loss and placed Deportivo B Coach Cristóbal Parralo in temporary charge until the end of the season.
“The Board of Directors of Real Club Deportivo has decided to rescind the contract of Pepe Mel as coach of the team,” a club statement read on their website on Tuesday.
“The Club wants to sincerely thank the coach and his entire coaching staff for the dedication, effort and professionalism they have shown during the time they have directed the first team,” the statement added.
Parralo’s appointment comes at a time his youth team prospect, Francis Uzoho https://www.aclsports.com/6017-2/ is elevated to the senior side’s first choice goalkeeping role ahead of experienced goalkeepers such as former Manchester City goalie Costel Pantilimon.
The 18-year old Nigerian has earned rave reviews in his first two Liga games at Eibar and against Girona in Monday’s loss and will hope to further earn the trust of his Parralo who was his manager up till this season at Deportivo Fabril.
Parralo taking the reins at the senior team also sees the arrival of Javier Manjarin as the assistant coach and Luis Fandiño as the physical trainer who, along with Julio Hernando, will take care of the team’s background preparation.
RC Deportivo will face Las Palmas in the Copa Del Rey at the Riazor on Thursday night before traveling to the Estadio de Gran Canaria for another match up with same side in the league on Monday.
