West Bromwich Albion have appointed Pepe Mel as their new manager.

The Spanish coach has been given the job on an 18-month contract, and the club have released a statement on their website welcoming the arrival of their new boss.

The statement read: "Albion are delighted to announce they have appointed Pepe Mel as their new head coach.

"The 50-year-old Spaniard has signed an 18-month contract and takes over the reins from Keith Downing, who took charge of the team in a caretaker capacity five games ago.

"Mel arrives at The Hawthorns with 14 years' coaching experience in Spanish football, having steered previous club Real Betis to a seventh-place finish in La Liga last term and qualification for the Europa League."

Downing had been taking charge of West Brom since the sacking of Steve Clarke last month.