Back to where it all began (III)

385 days have gone by since Pepe Mel left Real Betis to the applause of the fans. After a short stint in England, the now new verdiblanco coach returns to his old home to continue fighting towards the club’s main objective: promotion.

It is as if nothing has changed since Mel left Betis little over a year ago. The tight bound between the Betis supporters and the manager has already borne its fruit as has been reflected on the pitch; old glories still live in the hearts of the supporters and excitement is slowly returning to the Benito Villamarín.

Pepe Mel's Real Betis finished the 2012-13 Liga BBVA season seventh

It should be no surprise. Under his stewardship, Betis went from competing in the Liga Adelante to playing in the UEFA Europa League in the space of three years, a meteoric rise that is still fondly remembered and which gives hope of a return to the promised land of Spanish topflight football. In his first year in charge of Betis he stirred the club on a dream promotional campaign with the team winning the Liga Adelante. A fantastic Rubén Castro scored 27 goals during that season and the team managed to notch up the second highest points tally (83) in the championship up until that point.

Following a season of readjusting to life in the top division came the moment to aspire for greater things. Pepe Mel’s Betis side finished the 2012-13 Liga BBVA season in seventh, ahead of teams like Sevilla FC and Athletic Club, which earned them a place in the UEFA Europa League, a return to the European stage after eight years out of the topflight.

In his first year in charge, Betis clinched promotion as the Liga Adelante champions

 His new spell at the helm could not have gotten off to a better start. His first Liga Adelante game back saw the Seville side draw 0-0 with AD Alcorcón before going on to put on a superb display in the Benito Villamarín, where they beat Tenerife (3-1). It was one of the club’s true stalwarts, Rubén Castro, who shone in that victory which earned the Andalusian outfit their first win under the new managerial regime.

Getting the best out of his star striker, something that was key factor to his success during his first spell in charge, will be fundamental if the club is to regain the hope and the status needed for a return to the glory days.