Espanyol sacks successful coach after cup shock against fourth-tier side

González, who led Espanyol back to La Liga in 2024, was sacked after the club's shock Copa del Rey exit to fourth-tier Sestao River.

Espanyol has dismissed manager Manolo González following a humiliating Copa del Rey elimination at the hands of fourth-division side Sestao River. The 47-year-old Spaniard, who guided the Barcelona club to La Liga promotion in 2024, saw his side concede five goals in the cup tie. Espanyol briefly levelled through Gabriel Moscardo's goal in extra time to make it 3-2, but Sestao River scored twice more through Ander Belaustegi Laka and Jon Rojo to progress. González called it "one of the worst days" of his life.

The dismissal came just hours after the match. Espanyol currently sit 18th in La Liga after ten games, a position that would mean automatic relegation at season's end. Despite González's earlier achievements—promotion three seasons ago followed by respectable 14th and 11th-place finishes—the club decided to move on. Before the cup tie, González acknowledged his position was under threat but pledged to give everything for the club. Espanyol thanked him for his work and wished him well in future projects.