RTVE: Eder Sarabia Named New RCD Espanyol Coach Until 2028

Eder Sarabia Takes Over RCD Espanyol Banquillos on Contract Through 2028

Eder Sarabia has been named the new head coach of RCD Espanyol, signing a contract through June 30, 2028, after the club dismissed Manolo González from the managerial post, RTVE reported. The Bilbao-born coach takes charge of a blanquiazul squad currently sitting in the relegation zone in eighteenth place in LaLiga EA Sports with eight points from ten matches, following a Copa del Rey elimination in the first round against Sestao River. The club announced the appointment on Wednesday, noting that the 46-year-old manager was born in Bilbao on September 27, 1980, and returns to a top-flight dugout after spending a few months on a sabbatical leave following his departure from Elche at the end of the previous campaign. Sarabia led Elche to promotion as runners-up in Segunda in 2025 and achieved survival in the 2025-26 season before deciding to step down for personal and family reasons, choosing to take a few months off to decompress and attend to family needs after a stint that included setting a club points record in the top tier. His managerial career began in the youth ranks of Danok Bat and Villarreal CF before he served as assistant coach to Quique Setién at UD Las Palmas, Real Betis, and FC Barcelona during the 2019-20 season, after which he took his first senior head coaching roles with FC Andorra—where he also won promotion from Primera Federación to Segunda in 2022—and Elche CF.

Coaching Staff Additions and the Return of Álvaro González

Sarabia arrives in Barcelona accompanied by a trusted backroom staff consisting of Jon López, Jon Moreno, Aitor Unzué, and Álvaro González. For González, the appointment marks a return to the club where he made 82 league appearances as a player between 2014 and 2016, following his recent retirement from playing after a spell with Tenerife. Club sporting director Monchi and club owner Alan Pace spearheaded the appointment, identifying Sarabia’s tactical preference for possession-based football as the solution to reverse the team’s ongoing struggles.

Interim Management Ahead of the Villarreal Fixture

While Sarabia officially assumes his duties, reserve team coach Sergio García will lead the senior squad from the touchline during Friday’s league fixture away against Villarreal CF. García, a former Espanyol forward with more than 230 appearances and 50 goals for the club, took charge of his first training session with the senior squad on Wednesday. Before taking over the reserve team last summer, García managed the Juvenil A side of Damm and worked in the lower categories of the Spanish national team specifically with the Under-17 side. Sporting director Monchi is scheduled to address the media in a press conference on Thursday to discuss the managerial transition, followed by García’s pre-match media appearance ahead of the trip to Vila-real.

Sarabia Will Present to Media on November 3

Sarabia’s official presentation to the media is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, inside the Auditorio Juan Segura Palomares at the RCDE Stadium in Cornellà-El Prat.

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