Monchi calls Eder Sarabia the right coach for Espanyol

Monchi believes Eder Sarabia is “the right coach for this squad”. In defending the choice of a new manager, Espanyol’s sporting director said he expects Sarabia to reverse the team’s results trend while addressing the club’s immediate difficulties.

“He is the right coach for the squad we have and to turn around the results trend,” Monchi said. He acknowledged that Sarabia’s possession-based style may take longer to implement, but believes the players have the qualities to adapt. “We are certainly not doomed, and there is time to turn the situation around,” he said.

Monchi presented Sarabia’s appointment as a decision that looks beyond the immediate crisis. “Getting out of the relegation zone is the priority and the most urgent matter,” he said, before pointing to the need to build for the medium and long term. His aim, he explained, was not only to appoint a coach who could save Espanyol, but also one who could give the club an identity and a footballing philosophy. He played down more ambitious short-term targets: “This is not the time to talk about very ambitious objectives.”

The sporting director also defended his handling of Manolo’s departure. He praised the former coach’s commitment and professionalism, while noting that results had not improved despite the confidence and support he had received. “The first person who has to take responsibility is me. And the players too, obviously,” Monchi said, urging them to examine what they were not giving the team.

Monchi said Manolo was told he would be leaving in the dressing room, in a conversation he described as affectionate. He rejected the suggestion that the decision was communicated beside the bus, saying he chose that moment rather than wait until they returned to Barcelona or the following morning. He also said Manolo had been invited to attend that day but declined. “Sitting with him on the journey back without telling him about the decision would have been making a fool of him,” Monchi said. The search for a replacement accelerated after Manolo was informed, he added, explaining that he had begun looking at the market as results worsened.

Sarabia has signed with RCD Espanyol de Barcelona until June 30, 2028. Monchi said he was already registered in LaLiga as a coach and would serve one match of suspension at Villarreal, followed by another against Deportivo. His first appearance in the dugout is scheduled for Bilbao, against Athletic. Sarabia, for his part, explained his departure from Elche by saying he needed to attend to other essential matters in his life. Monchi said he believes Sarabia can lead the project, while emphasising that escaping the relegation zone comes first.