RCD Espanyol has begun a new stage after the dismissal of Manolo González, first team coach since March 2024. The decision came after the 4‑3 defeat against Sestao, the club's third consecutive failure in the Copa del Rey Mapfre. In the match, Jon Rojo's goal in the 121st minute of extra time sealed the elimination of the team, which had been eliminated in the second round in its last two participations in the competition, against Barbastro and Atlético Baleares, both fourth-category teams.
With the departure of González, the club has put Sergio García, coach of the Perico reserve team, in charge of the first team's morning training. García, who has been in charge of Espanyol B since last summer, will lead the session at the Dani Jarque Sports City this Wednesday, while the sports management, led by Monchi, evaluates the options for the new coach.
On Friday, Espanyol will face Villarreal in the League. The team is expected to be led by García in the match, although the final decision on the squad and strategy remains in the hands of the board. The club, which has four Copa del Rey titles (1929, 1940, 2000 and 2006), seeks to stabilize after the recent series of negative results and prepare a competitive campaign in the next season.