West Brom have announced the appointment of Pepe Mel as the club's new manager.

The Spaniard has signed an 18-month contract with the Premier League side, who sacked Steve Clarke almost a month ago.

Mel took Real Betis to seventh place in La Liga last season and also helped them qualify for the Europa League but was sacked by the club in early December.

Betis are currently bottom of the Primera Division after a difficult start to the new campaign.

Caretaker boss Keith Downing is set to continue at West Brom as the club's assistant head coach with former Irish international Dean Kiely remaining-on as goalkeeping coach.