Manolo pays the price for Espanyol’s second-half season collapse
Manolo, with Espanyol. Photo by ALEX CAPARROS / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP
The Pericos were close to European spots in the first half of the season. Now, they are near the relegation zone after a 2-1 defeat to Sevilla.
The current situation for RCD Espanyol is dire. The loss at the Sánchez-Pizjuán against Sevilla left the team on the brink of the abyss after another match they seemed to control, only to slip away in the final minutes. The Blanquiazules have now gone 18 league games without a win, a free fall that contrasts sharply with the first half of the season, when they were eyeing European places.
LaLiga standings. Flashscore
Manolo takes the blame
The blow is especially harsh because Espanyol once again showed signs of mental fragility. They took the lead but then collapsed with two defensive mistakes that are unworthy of a team fighting for survival. Manolo González himself admitted after the match that “the slightest mistake punishes you” and acknowledged that the team is “much more affected” mentally after so many winless games.
The coach’s position is also becoming delicate. Although he continues to project public confidence and reminds everyone that the team still controls its own destiny in the survival fight, the noise around his job security has clearly grown. Some reports even suggest the club is considering alternatives if the trend does not change immediately, though no decision has been made yet.
Espanyol’s recent matches. Flashscore
Nevertheless, Manolo still enjoys some credit for what he has achieved over the past two years. He guided Espanyol from the second division to establish themselves in LaLiga and was even one of the season’s surprises before the 2026 collapse. His message still emphasizes hard work and an immediate reaction, but the margin is now minimal, and each matchday increases the feeling that the club is playing for much more than just mere survival.