Critical hours for Manolo González

Espanyol in freefall after losing 2-1 to Racing; four defeats in five games leave manager González's position in serious doubt.

RCD Espanyol's crisis deepened with a 2-1 defeat to Racing, their fourth loss in five matches, leaving them in the relegation zone. Manager Manolo González acknowledged the team's struggles in what could be his final press conference, saying "the feeling is that you make yourself small, I don't know why." He pointed to a breakdown in pressing during the opposition's build-up play as the key issue.

When directly asked about resigning, González declined to discuss it publicly, insisting any decision would be made privately with sporting director Monchi and the club's hierarchy. The pressure is mounting: Espanyol's owner sacked Burnley manager Nicky Hayen yesterday, signalling a willingness to make managerial changes. González will either be dismissed or continue through Tuesday's Copa del Rey tie against Sestao River (19:00) and Friday's La Cerámica fixture (21:00), but his tenure appears to be nearing its end.