La Liga side Espanyol have appointed Eder Sarabia as their new head coach on a contract running until June 30, 2028, following the dismissal of Manolo González after the club’s disappointing start to the 2026/27 season.

The Catalan club confirmed the appointment on Wednesday, October 28, turning to the 46-year-old Spaniard to revive their campaign after a damaging run of results in the league and an embarrassing Copa del Rey exit. Blueprint reports

Sarabia, who previously worked as assistant coach to Quique Setién at Barcelona, returns to Espanyol in a new capacity after previously representing the club as a player.

His appointment comes at a critical moment for the Pericos, who are seeking to recover their competitive form and move away from the relegation zone.

González pays price for poor results

Sarabia replaces González, whose three-and-a-half-year association with Espanyol ended on Tuesday following the club’s 4-3 extra-time defeat to fourth-tier Sestao River in the Copa del Rey.

The result was a major setback for Espanyol, who were eliminated from the competition by lower-league opposition despite having the opportunity to progress.

González had taken charge in March 2024 and helped the club secure promotion to La Liga before guiding them to survival in the top flight over the following two seasons.

However, the team’s form deteriorated during the current campaign, with five defeats in his final six matches in charge across competitions contributing to his dismissal.

Espanyol were 18th in the La Liga standings with eight points after 10 matches, according to Reuters, leaving the club under pressure to improve their results.

The club acknowledged González’s commitment and professionalism in its farewell statement, thanking him for his contribution during a period that included promotion and the challenge of maintaining top-flight status.

From Barcelona assistant to Espanyol head coach

Sarabia arrives with considerable experience in Spanish football, having worked alongside Setién at Las Palmas, Real Betis and Barcelona before establishing himself as a head coach.

His spell at Barcelona came during the 2019/20 season, when he served as Setién’s assistant following the departure of Ernesto Valverde.

Although the partnership lasted only about seven months, it exposed Sarabia to the demands of managing one of the biggest clubs in world football and working with elite players.

He subsequently moved into senior management, taking charge of FC Andorra before joining Elche.

His coaching approach has been associated with possession-based football, structured build-up play and an emphasis on attacking organisation.

At Espanyol, however, he will face the immediate challenge of translating those principles into results for a team struggling near the bottom of the table.

Success at Elche strengthens his credentials

Sarabia’s recent work at Elche helped strengthen his reputation as a coach capable of building competitive teams.

He guided the club to promotion to La Liga and subsequently helped them retain their place in Spain’s top division.

His work at Elche demonstrated his ability to manage the demands of a promotion campaign and the challenge of competing against more established clubs in the top flight.

That experience is likely to be important at Espanyol, who need consistency and improved performances to avoid becoming embroiled in a prolonged relegation battle.

The club will also expect Sarabia to improve its attacking output and establish a clearer tactical identity as the season progresses.

Familiar face returns to the club

Sarabia will be joined by members of his coaching staff, including Jon López, Jon Moreno and Aitor Unzué.

Former Espanyol defender Álvaro González will also join the backroom team, returning to the club where he made 82 appearances during his playing career.

His familiarity with Espanyol could prove valuable as the new coaching staff works to establish relationships with the players and understand the club’s expectations.

Sarabia himself is also returning to familiar surroundings, having represented Espanyol during his playing days. The appointment therefore marks a new chapter in his relationship with the club.

Espanyol have scheduled his official presentation for next Tuesday at the Auditorio Juan Segura Palomares at the RCDE Stadium.

Immediate challenge awaits

Sarabia inherits a team that needs an immediate response, with Espanyol scheduled to face Villarreal in La Liga on Friday.

However, reports from Spain indicate that the new manager will not take charge of that fixture, with former Espanyol forward Sergio García overseeing the team on an interim basis.

Sarabia is expected to begin his tenure with the subsequent league fixture against Deportivo de La Coruña.

The new coach will need to address the team’s recent defensive vulnerabilities, improve its confidence and find a more consistent approach in front of goal.

With his contract extending to June 2028, the appointment also suggests that Espanyol are looking beyond an immediate survival battle and seeking a longer-term sporting direction.

For Sarabia, the move offers an opportunity to demonstrate that his coaching experience at Barcelona, Andorra and Elche can translate into sustained success at another historic Spanish club.

For Espanyol, the priority is more urgent: restore confidence, arrest the slide in league form and ensure that the club’s season is not defined by relegation concerns.