OMNISPORT

Pepe Mel has been appointed as the new head coach of Deportivo La Coruna, the club have announced.

The Galician side sacked Gaizka Garitano in the wake of Saturday's 4-0 defeat to fellow LaLiga strugglers Leganes.

"Jose Mel Perez has become the new coach of Deportivo until the end of the season, with the option to extend," a club statement confirmed on Tuesday.

Deportivo are only two points above the relegation zone - having played one game less than the bottom three - after a run of four league defeats in a row.

Their last victory came on December 21, when they beat Real Betis - who sacked Mel in January 2016 - in a Copa del Rey clash at the Riazor.

Mel's first match in charge will be against Atletico Madrid on Thursday, before they travel to third- bottom Sporting Gijon on Sunday.