Espanyol sacked coach Manolo Gonzalez after a 4-3 extra-time Copa del Rey defeat to fourth-tier Sestao River Club. Espanyol confirmed the decision on Tuesday, with the team 18th on eight points and due to host Villarreal on Friday.
Club statement
Espanyol said: "RCD Espanyol have decided to bring Manolo González’s tenure as coach of the club to an end. The two parties part ways after more than three seasons and 107 official games in charge of the first team, a period during which he left his personal and professional mark, both on the pitch and in the team’s day-to-day operations."
Espanyol said: "RCD Espanyol, on behalf of club president Alan Pace, and its Board of Directors, wish to express our gratitude to Manolo González for the work, commitment, and effort he has shown since taking charge of the first team. The club particularly values the professionalism and dedication he brought to his role, as well as the way he tackled the various sporting challenges he faced. The club wish him the very best of luck and success in his future endeavours."
Before and after the match
Before the match, Gonzalez acknowledged that his future was at stake. Espanyol then lost 4-3 after extra time to Sestao River Club.
Tenure and league position
Espanyol said Gonzalez's tenure ended after more than three seasons and 107 official games in charge of the first team. Reuters reported that Gonzalez guided Espanyol to promotion and then kept the Catalan club in LaLiga over the following two seasons.