Overview
- Espanyol sacked Manolo González after a shock Copa defeat to Sestao and a run of poor league results that left the club in 18th place.
- The club announced the signing of Eder Sarabia on a contract running to 30 June 2028 to lead a project built around attacking, possession football.
- Sarabia cannot sit on the bench for the next two matches because he carries a two-game ban from his time at Elche, so reserve-team coach Sergio García will take charge for the immediate fixture at Villarreal.
- Sporting director Monchi defended the timing of the dismissal and said the appointment is intended both to halt the negative results and to give the squad a clearer playing identity; Sarabia will be presented at the RCDE Stadium next week and brings several named assistants.
- The move raises immediate pressure on the players to improve results to avoid a deeper relegation battle and has drawn mixed reaction from fans who worry about Sarabia’s Barça connections but note his record of promotion with Elche.