Espanyol sack Manolo González after 4-3 Copa del Rey loss to Sestao

Spanish top-flight club Espanyol dismissed head coach Manolo González on 27 October 2026. According to Mundo Deportivo, the Barcelona-based side moved within hours of a 4-3 extra-time Copa del Rey defeat away to Sestao River, who play in Segunda Federación, the fourth tier of Spanish football. Spanish media reported that the club confirmed the exit in an official statement.

González had taken charge in March 2024, replacing Luis Miguel Ramis. Mundo Deportivo noted that his roughly two and a half years in the dugout ended with a third straight cup exit at the hands of lower-league opposition. League form weighed heavily too: Espanyol have gone five LaLiga matches without a win and sit in the relegation zone.

What happened against Sestao River?

Espanyol lost 4-3 after extra time to Sestao River at the Estadio Las Llanas on 27 October 2026. ScoreLab data shows Espanyol led in the 6th minute before the hosts turned it around with goals in the 18th and 40th minutes. Espanyol equalised at the very end of normal time, which finished 2-2. Espanyol went ahead again in the 96th minute, only for Sestao to level shortly afterwards. Mundo Deportivo reported that Rojo struck the winner in the 121st minute. Two of Espanyol's goals came from the penalty spot.

Mundo Deportivo also recalled that González's two previous Copa del Rey campaigns with Espanyol had ended in defeats to lower-league sides Barbastro and Atlético Baleares, making the Sestao loss the third such upset in a row.

Why have Espanyol struggled in LaLiga?

Espanyol opened the season with a 3-0 win over Levante. Since the 2-0 victory at Osasuna, however, they have not won a league game. ScoreLab data shows their last five LaLiga results:

1. 15 September 2026 — Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Espanyol
2. 18 September 2026 — Espanyol 1-3 Elche
3. 9 October 2026 — Málaga 1-1 Espanyol
4. 17 October 2026 — Espanyol 0-1 Atlético Madrid
5. 24 October 2026 — Racing Santander 2-1 Espanyol
6. 27 October 2026 — Copa del Rey: Sestao River 4-3 Espanyol (after extra time); González dismissed

Who is Manolo González?

Manolo González, from Lugo in Galicia, took over Espanyol in the Segunda División in March 2024. ScoreLab data shows the team finished that season fourth and went back up to LaLiga through the play-offs. In 2024/25, their first season back in the top flight, Espanyol stayed up in 15th place with 42 points. They improved to 11th with 46 points in 2025/26. This season the team has slipped to 18th after 10 matchdays.

What did Manolo González say?

Speaking at his post-match press conference before the club confirmed his exit, González already referred to his Espanyol spell in the past tense. According to Mundo Deportivo, he called it one of the worst days of his life and said so three times.

In the second remark González said he felt his staff had done a great job over two and a half years and met their targets, and that ending the spell with a match like this hurt him deeply.

What comes next for Espanyol?

Espanyol's first game after the change is a trip to Villarreal's Estadio de la Cerámica on 30 October 2026, in LaLiga matchday 11. They then host Deportivo La Coruña on 7 November 2026 (ScoreLab data). The sources cited here have not yet officially named a permanent successor or an interim coach.