The autumn darkness is descending, and the only sure thing in the world of football is that one after another coach in a vulnerable position will be fired. Three months into the season, there are always clubs that keep their finger ready on the panic button. For Manolo Gonzales, it was a farewell with a catapult chair à la James Bond.
On Tuesday, Arsenal disappeared into the League Cup fourth round – against Fleetwood. Sensational, but for Arsenal this “only” means more focus on what matters, the Premier League and the Champions League. For La Liga club Espanyol, the cup has a completely different meaning. It cost head coach Manolo Gonzalez his job.
Because Espanyol was sent into the cup darkness on Tuesday night, after Sestao from the fourth division won 4-3 after extra time. This made the club management go straight to the computer and write a letter of resignation.
When the club later announced the dismissal, the wording was less emotional.
“On behalf of the club’s president, Alan Pace, and the Board of Directors, Espanyol would like to express its gratitude to Manolo González for his work, dedication and efforts since he took charge of the first team. The club particularly highlights his professionalism and commitment throughout the period, as well as the dedication with which he has handled the sporting challenges,” it says.
The manager has led Espanyol for three seasons and 107 official games, but with 18th place in La Liga, with eight points after ten rounds of matches, the cup loss was too much for the club management.
It is part of the story that González was told he had been fired more or less directly after the cup loss. Here it was not exactly a question of sitting down and analyzing the situation.
