La Liga:<\/b> La Liga side Espanyol sacked coach Manolo Gonzalez following a shock Copa del Rey defeat to fourth-tier Sestao River, ending his tenure amid a prolonged run of poor results.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The decision came shortly after Espanyol suffered a 4-3 defeat after extra time, with Jon Rojo scoring the winner for Sestao in the 121st minute.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The cup exit compounded Espanyol's struggles in La Liga, where the club sits in the relegation zone following last weekend's 2-1 defeat away to Racing Santander.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"RCD Espanyol have decided to bring Manolo Gonzalez's tenure as coach of the club to an end,\" the club said in a statement on its website.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The club thanked Gonzalez for his contribution, praising his professionalism, commitment and dedication during his time in charge.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"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,\" the statement said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gonzalez, 47, took charge of Espanyol in March 2024 after being promoted from the reserve side and guided the club back to La Liga at the end of that season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, his position came under increasing scrutiny following a difficult second half of last season, when Espanyol endured an 18-match winless run spanning 143 days.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite winning two of its opening five league matches this season, Espanyol has since gone five games without a victory, increasing the pressure on Gonzalez.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Spanish media had reported ahead of Tuesday's cup tie that his job was under threat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Espanyol said Gonzalez was leaving after more than three seasons and 107 competitive matches in charge of the first team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Elsewhere, Villarreal cruised to a 5-0 victory at Manacor through goals from Alassane Diatta, Tani Oluwaseyi, Sergi Cardona, Nizar and Nicolas Pepe.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Malaga recorded its first win of the season with a 3-0 victory over Sporting de Alcazar. Chupe broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 71st minute and added a second before Dani Lorenzo completed the scoring in the 88th.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Elsewhere, Villarreal cruised to a 5-0 victory at Manacor through goals from Alassane Diatta, Tani Oluwaseyi, Sergi Cardona, Nizar and Nicolas Pepe.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> Special Cricket Stories<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n