Former Real Betis manager Pepe Mel has woken up, is breathing without heavy sedation, and is able to recognize family members ten days after suffering a stroke, Marca reported.
The 63-year-old coach was admitted to the intensive care unit at the Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío in Seville following a cerebrovascular event on November 1.
Despite his recent progress, Mel faces a mandatory second surgical procedure. Hospital examinations revealed a congenital arteriovenous malformation that triggered the stroke, according to ABC.
Real Betis released a statement on behalf of Mel’s family to update supporters on his medical status and upcoming treatment plan.
«La familia de Pepe Mel comunica que hoy, tras retirarle la sedación, Pepe se ha despertado y ha mostrado signos de una evolución favorable. Continuará preparándose para someterse de nuevo a una intervención quirúrgica con el fin de solucionar la malformación congénita que provocó el episodio sufrido».
said the family in the statement published by Marca.
Doctors will schedule the secondary intervention to correct the congenital vascular anomaly once Mel’s physical condition stabilizes further following the removal of sedation, ABC reported.
Messages of encouragement have arrived from across Spanish football for the veteran coach, who managed Betis across multiple stints, as well as clubs including Rayo Vallecano, Deportivo de La Coruña, and Málaga.
Sevilla president José María del Nido Carrasco offered public support for his counterpart during a recent club appearance.
«Quiero mandarle un afectuoso abrazo a una persona que más allá de rivalidades se merece toda la fuerza del mundo en estos momentos complicados. Pido un fuerte aplauso para que le insufle fuerzas a Pepe Mel, exentrenador del Real Betis Balompié».
said del Nido Carrasco, as reported by ABC.
Mel’s daughter, Iris Mel, also shared a public message on social media during his hospitalization, writing about their plans to read together and travel once he recovered, according to ABC.
Mel remains under observation at the Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío in Seville while his medical team evaluates the timeline for the upcoming corrective surgery.
«Mediante estas líneas, los allegados desean dar las gracias por el afecto recibido por parte de la familia futbolística en general, así como del Betis y los béticos en particular. Seguirá luchando. ¡Gracias a Dios!»,
concluded the family statement provided to Marca.
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