Espanyol Sack Manolo González After Copa del Rey Shock

Espanyol have dismissed head coach Manolo González after a shock first-round Copa del Rey exit. The club lost 4-3 after extra time to fourth-tier Sestao River on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, with Jon Rojo scoring the winner in the 121st minute. The club confirmed the decision on the same night, bringing an end to González’s time in charge.

Espanyol’s statement thanked González for his work and wished him well for the future. The decision followed the cup defeat and the club’s poor league form.

A Long-Standing Coach Departs

González was appointed in March 2024, and he led the club for more than three seasons and 107 competitive matches. He took Espanyol back up from the Segunda División and kept them in the top flight through the 2024-25 campaign. Those achievements gave him a place among the longer-serving coaches in the club’s recent history.

Espanyol sack Manolo González after the Copa del Rey defeat

His dismissal is a sharp end to that period. He had been under growing pressure during the season, and the Copa del Rey exit proved decisive. González later described the day as one of the worst of his life.

League Form Under Pressure

The Copa defeat came shortly after a 2-1 loss away to newly promoted Racing Santander on Sunday, 25 October. That result left Espanyol in the relegation zone and extended a winless run of five league games.

Measure	Position
League position at dismissal	18th in La Liga
Points from 10 matches	8
Recent league defeats	2-1 at Racing Santander (25 October)
Losses in last six games	Five
Cup exit	4-3 aet defeat to Sestao River (27 October)

Espanyol had won two of their opening five league matches, but the form collapsed afterwards. The club’s position made it increasingly difficult to justify keeping the coach in place.

Key Facts About the Dismissal

Detail	Information
Coach	Manolo González
Appointed	March 2024
Matches in charge	107 competitive matches
Date of dismissal	27 October 2026
Club statement	“Manolo González is no longer the coach of Espanyol”
Cup opponent	Sestao River, a fourth-tier side

Manolo González watches a pre-season friendly between UE Olot and RCD Espanyol — OLOT, SPAIN – JULY 18: Manolo Gonzalez, Manager of RCD Espanyol de Barcelona looks on prior to the pre-season friendly match between UE Olot and RCD Espanyol at Camp Municipal d’Olot on July 18, 2026 in Olot, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Rodriguez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Ownership and Wider Context

Espanyol’s ownership group includes former NFL star J.J. Watt, and the group also owns English Championship club Burnley. Burnley sacked manager Nicky Hayen only days before the Espanyol decision, making González the second coach from the group to be dismissed within four days.

Who Replaces González

Espanyol appointed Eder Sarabia as their new head coach, unveiling him on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. Sarabia, who is 46, previously worked as an assistant to Quique Setién at Las Palmas, Betis and Barcelona. He later managed Andorra and then Elche, whom he guided into La Liga.

Before the appointment was confirmed, sporting director Monchi had reportedly approached Julen Lopetegui, with José Luis Mendilibar and Eduardo Berizzo also on the club’s list. Sarabia was the appointment that followed.

Coach	Background
Eder Sarabia	Former Elche coach, guided them into La Liga; previously an assistant at Las Palmas, Betis and Barcelona

What Comes Next for Espanyol

Sarabia faces a difficult task. Espanyol sit 18th in La Liga with eight points from 10 matches, and the club needs quick improvement to avoid falling further into the relegation fight.

For González, the dismissal ends a three-season stint that brought the club back to the top flight. His record will remain part of the club’s recent history, even as his departure opens a new chapter.