Espanyol sack Manolo Gonzalez after Copa del Rey shock loss to Sestao
Synopsis
Fourth-tier Sestao River knocked Espanyol out of the Copa del Rey 4-3 in extra time — and it cost Manolo Gonzalez his job. With the club already in the La Liga relegation zone and five games without a win, the cup humiliation was the final straw for a coach who had guided Espanyol back to the top flight just over a year ago.
Key Takeaways
Espanyol sacked head coach Manolo Gonzalez on 28 October following a 4-3 Copa del Rey extra-time defeat to fourth-tier Sestao River .
Jon Rojo scored the winner for Sestao in the 121st minute .
Espanyol sit in the La Liga relegation zone , having gone five games without a win this season.
Gonzalez, 47 , took charge in March 2024 and oversaw 107 competitive matches across more than three seasons.
He had previously guided Espanyol back to La Liga but endured an 18-match winless run spanning 143 days last season.
La Liga side Espanyol sacked head coach Manolo Gonzalez on 28 October following a stunning Copa del Rey exit at the hands of fourth-tier Sestao River, with the dismissal capping a prolonged slide in form that had placed the club firmly in danger territory.
The Final Straw: Sestao Stun Espanyol 4-3
Espanyol fell 4-3 after extra time to Sestao River, with Jon Rojo delivering the decisive blow in the 121st minute to complete one of the more remarkable Copa del Rey upsets in recent memory. The loss to a side from the fourth tier of Spanish football proved terminal for Gonzalez's position, coming just days after Spanish media had already reported that his job was under threat ahead of the tie.
La Liga Struggles Deepen the Crisis
The cup humiliation compounded an already troubling league campaign. Espanyol currently sit in the La Liga relegation zone, their position worsened by a 2-1 defeat away to Racing Santander the previous weekend. Despite winning two of their opening five league matches this season, the club has since gone five consecutive games without a victory, eroding confidence in the dugout week by week.
Club Statement and Gonzalez's Tenure
'RCD Espanyol have decided to bring Manolo Gonzalez's tenure as coach of the club to an end,' the club confirmed in an official statement on its website. The club simultaneously thanked the outgoing coach, stating: 'RCD Espanyol ... wish to express our gratitude to Manolo Gonzalez for the work, commitment and effort he has shown since taking charge of the first team.'
Gonzalez, 47, had initially joined from Espanyol's reserve side in March 2024 and guided the club back to La Liga at the end of that season — a significant achievement. However, his second season in charge was marked by severe inconsistency, including an 18-match winless run spanning 143 days in the second half of last season. In total, he oversaw 107 competitive matches across more than three seasons with the first team.
Copa del Rey: Other Results
Villarreal had a far more comfortable evening, cruising to a 5-0 win at Manacor through goals from Alassane Diatta, Tani Oluwaseyi, Sergi Cardona, Nizar, and Nicolas Pepe. Malaga recorded their first win of the season, beating Sporting de Alcazar 3-0, with Chupe netting twice — including a 71st-minute penalty — before Dani Lorenzo sealed it in the 88th minute. Elche also advanced, recovering from a goal down to beat sixth-tier UD Pinatar 3-1, with Ezequiel Ponce scoring twice and Ali Houary adding a third.
What Comes Next for Espanyol
Espanyol have not announced a successor to Gonzalez, and the club faces the urgent task of steadying their La Liga campaign with a relegation battle already taking shape. The search for a new head coach is expected to move quickly given the pressure of the league table.
Point of View
Already watching a relegation battle develop, had little appetite for the symbolism. What is worth noting is that Gonzalez was the architect of Espanyol's promotion just over a year ago; the same traits — pragmatism, squad loyalty — that won him credit in the second tier may have left the team tactically predictable at the top level. The club now faces a delicate appointment: a new manager mid-crisis must both arrest the league slide and rebuild morale fast, with the winter transfer window still weeks away.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Manolo Gonzalez sacked by Espanyol?
Espanyol sacked Manolo Gonzalez following a 4-3 Copa del Rey extra-time defeat to fourth-tier Sestao River on 28 October, which compounded a run of five La Liga games without a win and left the club in the relegation zone. Spanish media had reported his position was at risk even before the cup tie.
Who scored the winning goal for Sestao River against Espanyol?
Jon Rojo scored the decisive goal for Sestao River in the 121st minute of extra time, sealing a stunning 4-3 Copa del Rey upset over La Liga side Espanyol.
What is Espanyol's current standing in La Liga?
Espanyol are in the La Liga relegation zone as of 28 October, having lost their most recent league match 2-1 away to Racing Santander and failing to win any of their last five league games this season.
How long was Manolo Gonzalez in charge of Espanyol?
Gonzalez managed Espanyol for more than three seasons and 107 competitive matches, having taken over from the reserve side in March 2024. He guided the club back to La Liga at the end of the 2023-24 season before his position became increasingly untenable.
What were the other notable Copa del Rey results on 28 October?
Villarreal beat Manacor 5-0, with goals from Alassane Diatta, Tani Oluwaseyi, Sergi Cardona, Nizar, and Nicolas Pepe. Malaga recorded their first win of the season with a 3-0 victory over Sporting de Alcazar, while Elche came from behind to beat sixth-tier UD Pinatar 3-1.
