La Liga club backs coach after late-season turnaround secures top-flight survival
RCD Espanyol have confirmed that head coach Manolo González will remain in charge for the 2026–27 season after the club activated a one-year contract extension.
González’s previous deal contained an automatic renewal clause that came into effect after he successfully guided Espanyol to safety in La Liga.
Despite finishing 11th in the league table with 46 points, uncertainty had surrounded the coach’s future following a difficult campaign in which the Barcelona-based side endured an 18-match winless run.
The poor sequence ended Espanyol’s hopes of European qualification and dragged the club into a tense relegation battle. However, two wins in their final three matches proved decisive in securing survival in Spain’s top division.
Speculation over a possible managerial change intensified after the arrival of former Sevilla FC sporting director Monchi, who previously worked with Aston Villa FC.
Those rumours were dismissed on Monday when Espanyol officially confirmed González would continue through 2027.
“Manolo González will continue until 2027 after securing our team’s survival and receiving Monchi’s trust,” the club said in a statement posted on social media.
Monchi strongly endorsed the coach, praising his leadership and long-term vision for the club.
“He’s the right person. He’s the person we’re going to place all our trust in,” Monchi said.
“From the first time I spoke with him, he knew that my confidence in him was absolute.”
“It’s true, and I have to be honest, that this confidence has only grown as I’ve gotten to know him better. He’s the right person to continue building the Espanyol we all want,” he added.
