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Gareth McAuley: 'Pepe Mel couldn't communicate with players'

West Bromwich Albion defender Gareth McAuley reveals that former head coach Pepe Mel struggled to communicate with the squad during his time in charge.

West Bromwich Albion defender Gareth McAuley has said that Pepe Mel struggled to communicate with the squad during his time as head coach.

The Spaniard left the Baggies by mutual consent on Monday, just four months after replacing Steve Clarke at the helm.

McAuley has revealed that a member of the club's backroom staff took a key role in training during Mel's stint in charge.

"One of the big problems was that we had a computer analyst putting his boots on and coming on to the training pitch and trying to coach 20 professional footballers. He was trying to translate for Pepe there," McAuley told Sky Sports News.

"It was difficult for some players to take. The lads weren't having it all, to be honest.

"Language has been a big barrier. He'll tell you that himself. We had the frustration of we didn't understand completely what we were being asked to do."

Mel won just three of his 17 games in charge at The Hawthorns.

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West Brom head coach Pepe Mel looks on prior to kick-off in the Premier League match against West Ham on April 26, 2014
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