Mel kicked off his press conference with a message of thanks “to the entire club and all the staff at Málaga.” In reference to Nacho Pérez and Nacho Oria, members of his coaching team who accompanied him in the Club's 'Juan Cortés' room, “we have felt loved, respected, helped, and we don't have a single problem with the conduct of the people over these four months,” he said.

“It’s a difficult day. Despite the 22 years I’ve been a football coach in the elite, it’s a bitter day. But it’s the law of football,” continued the Madrid-born manager, who is grateful “to the players, office staff, gardeners, everyone. They have supported us, I have nothing bad to say, football is like this.”

Mel praised himself on “the honour of having coached Málaga. I think we worked well, but luck didn’t go our way. The objective is achieved by doing a good job. The players are going to do well, and I ask the people to support them. Only the players can get the club out of this situation,” he concluded.