5 of the worst managerial appointments in recent Premier League history

#4 Pepe Mel (West Brom)

Not their Spanish saviour - ex-West Brom manager Pepe Mel

West Bromwich Albion decided to sack Steve Clarke in December 2013 after the club flattered to deceive following an 8th-place finish the previous season (2012-13). Clarke had been hailed as a genius and deserving of the many accolades that came his way.

But all that was cut short in December 2013 after a run of inconsistency. He was finally replaced in January 2014 by former Real Betis Manager Pepe Mel.

Former caretaker Keith Downing and the entire coaching staff were retained and Mel was not allowed to bring any of his staff. Following a horrible start to his reign and disagreements over player selection issues, Mel's interpreter was fired. Mel's lack of sound English was touted to be a major problem by observers.

Mel's West Brom side never got going and failed to win from many good positions including a 3-0 lead vs Sunderland and the West Midlands Derby against Aston Villa away from home when they were 2-0 up.

He was constantly in the news for the wrong reasons, despite his relative popularity as an individual among the West Brom fan base. Mel was finally sacked or at least let go of by mutual consent at the end of the season according to varying sources.

Winning just 3 games of his 17, Mel had intended to replace most of the first team squad after rumours of internal dressing room fighting hit the papers. However, he was not given an opportunity to do so after a horrid record on the field.

Mel could claim to have not had the board's backing because it took them months before he could bring his staff to West Brom. His high-tempo playing style and high defensive line meant that a solid counter-attacking team like West Bromwich Albion had to switch formations and revamp their tactical approach halfway into the season.

This proved to be too much for his players and ultimately, the adjustment factor denied them points time and again, eventually costing Mel his job.

Premier League Record: P17 W3 D6 L8