West Brom legend Derek Statham: Pepe Mel will need time to adjust

Statham believes Mel will face a tough time adapting to life in England after spending most of his career in his native Spain.

And the ex-Hawthorns hero still believes chairman Jeremy Peace sacked former boss Steve Clarke too quickly.

"I am shocked to hear about the appointment," said Statham, who now lives in retirement on the Costa Del Sol.

"I follow the football over here and I would suggest it will be very difficult for him to adapt quickly from Spain to England.

"Real Betis aren't a massive club over here. In recent years they have been a club who have gone up and down between the top division and the second tier.

"Albion have obviously been impressed with the job he has done at Betis and I hope he does a great job in England because I want Albion to do well, but I think it is going to be very difficult for him."

Mel, who was sacked by Real Betis on December 2 after a largely successful spell with the Seville club, has signed an 18-month contract at The Hawthorns after compromising on his demands to bring two of his own coaches to England.

He will now work alongside existing assistant Keith Downing and goalkeeping coach Dean Kiely as they attempt to drag the Baggies clear of the Premier League relegation.

But Statham believes the new Hawthorns head coach will still encounter a culture shock.

"It is totally different over here," said the Wolverhampton-born 54-year-old, a marauding left-back in the Baggies' iconic teams of the late 1970s and early 80s.

"The technical standard of the players over here is a lot better, but the pace of the game is so much slower.

"I think he will be shocked by the pace of the game in the Premier League and it will take some getting used to.

"I think it's a very strange appointment, but then I was surprised when Jeremy Peace decided to sack Steve Clarke.

"I think he acted too quickly, but I hope the new guy does really well."