Manolo González faces a decisive week for his Espanyol future

Results have made this a decisive week for Manolo González’s future at Espanyol. Beaten 0-1 by Atlético de Madrid, the coach has seen his position weakened further. He played a major part in the 2024 promotion and in the two subsequent, hard-fought spells in which the club secured its place in the top flight. The latest defeat has left him especially exposed, and the way the match unfolded made the result all the harder to take.

González opted to start Àngel Fortuño instead of Marko Dmitrovic. The goalkeeper kept Espanyol in the game with his saves until Álex Baena struck the decisive goal with a right-footed effort in the 89th minute. The previous week had brought another late setback: at La Rosaleda, Adrián Niño equalised in the 93rd minute to make it 1-1.

Those results add to an already difficult spell for Espanyol. The team have won only four of the 30 matches they have played: twice against Osasuna, once against Levante on the opening matchday of the current season, and once against Athletic. That win, last season, ended an 18-match run without a victory. Calls for González to go did not begin this week; some were already demanding his dismissal in the summer.

After the loss to Atlético, González said he was angry but felt his team’s performance could strengthen its position. “You come away strengthened by the team’s performance, but frustrated, because we deserved four points from six,” he said.

Before that match, Monchi described the club’s efforts to stay close to the coaching staff and players, and said he hoped the run would change soon. The person in charge of Espanyol’s sporting department has also publicly reaffirmed his confidence in González. Players have spoken up too: Edu Expósito and Roberto Fernández backed the coach during the most recent break, while captain Javi Puado offered his support on Saturday after returning to the field. That backing stands against the urgency created by the results. The coming week will show whether the team can give it substance on the pitch.