The RCD Espanyol team has decided that Manolo González will continue to lead the group at least until next Friday, despite the alarming streak of results that has put his position as coach at risk. After the 3-0 defeat against Elche and the 2-1 loss against Rayo, the club is in the relegation zone, with only four wins in the last 31 games and a streak of 18 games without a win in the previous season.
The news came after the team's recent relegation after a goalless draw with Racing, where Yassir Zabiri's goal in the 84th minute ended the hope of a point. In the following hours, the local press and Onda Cero radio had already mentioned the possibility of the coach leaving, and even the name of Julen Lopetegui was mentioned as a possible replacement. However, the club decided not to rush and let González lead Sunday morning training at the Dani Jarque Sports City.
The team will face Sestao River Club, from the Second Federation, on Tuesday in Las Llanas in the first round of the Copa del Rey Mapfre. If the result is favorable, the next match will be on Friday at the Cerámica against Villarreal, where Espanyol will have the presence of Carlos Romero and Gerard Moreno. According to statements by Monchi, the club's sports director, the decision to keep González is motivated by the need to evaluate his performance in the two remaining games before taking a definitive measure.
Manolo González, who showed some frustration during the press session at the El Sardinero Stadium, explained that he does not understand why the team is losing so many points in the last few games. "The feeling is that you are becoming small, I don't know the reason. We haven't touched the system, we have stopped putting pressure on the release of the ball, I don't know why," he commented, acknowledging that any decision about his future is in the hands of the club.
Next Monday, starting at 12:00 p.m., González will appear before the media to answer questions about his continuity. Meanwhile, RCD Espanyol hope that the result of the Copa del Rey and the performance against Villarreal can decide whether or not to keep Manolo González in office. The club's technical management keeps the door open to a possible replacement, but has not made a final decision.