Pepe Mel and his bitter anniversary

More ant than cicada, the Unión Deportiva Las Palma faces these last days of the league with the tranquility of having permanence, the minimum objective set for this course, rather than tied up. Therefore, little or nothing to celebrate.

If there was something that deserved a celebration, however minimal, it was the game that Las Palmas played yesterday in Gijón, which was Pepe Mel's 100th as the holder of his bench. In a sport where the coach is permanently in the pillory, getting to that figure all at once does not seem like an easy undertaking.

However, the celebration could not have been more bitter. So on a new bitter soccer afternoon, the UD came from Gijon with another defeat in the suitcase (1-0), the 14th of the course, so Mel himself was left without a 'gift' on such an important afternoon.

After arriving in Las Palmas in the spring of 2019, a little more than two years ago (he made his debut in Riazor, 0-1 with a goal from Aythami Artiles, on March 10 of that year), the Madrid coach accumulated, leading the first yellow team and adding the corresponding league matches and Copa del Rey, 32 victories, 33 draws and 35 defeats. Counting the duels against Albacete and Logroñés, the last two of the season, Mel's account with Las Palmas will amount to 102 presences in the band.

This will be the minimum figure, because at the moment nothing is known about its possible renewal. Beyond, of course, a routine appointment held with Luis Helguera, the sports director of Las Palmas, earlier this week. The door to its continuity is open. Rather, ajar. “When I refer to counting on me, the UD could have told me that my stage is over, but they simply explained their project to me. They have only explained to me “, said the past before leaving on Wednesday before leaving for Gijón. To gain time, The club presented a formal proposal to Rubén de la Barrera, Deportivo's coach. Play hold beat.