Pepe Mel packed a bag, climbed behind the wheel and headed north from Seville, taking his staff and a little happiness with him. He did not stop until the village of Villafranca del Bierzo, León: 744km gone, 222km to go. It was dark, late and they still did not know if the journey was going to be worth it, ready to turn back if needs be. Unemployed since he left Betis in January 2016, Mel had published his third novel – about football and aimed at kids this time – but coaching is his calling so he travelled in hope and the next day they crossed into Galicia. By the time they reached the Atlantic, Deportivo de La Coruña had decided.
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