Pepe Mel has revealed Rafa Benitez urged him to take the West Bromwich Albion job.
Mel was unveiled as Albion's new head coach on Thursday - succeeding the sacked Steve Clarke on an 18-month contract - but has been working with the players since Tuesday ahead of Monday's home game against Everton.
He said: "I spoke with Rafa Benitez.
"He was a team-mate of mine at Real Madrid. He really did encourage me to come here over to England. He said it is a club that needs to do a lot of work but has a lot of possibilities to be successful.
"Rafa also really did say it is the best league in the world. He has been fortunate to work for two massive clubs at Liverpool and Chelsea. He is a good friend and we talk."
