Eider Sarabia appointed new Espanyol manager until 2028

RCD Espanyol Barcelona have officially appointed Eider Sarabia as the new head coach of the first team, replacing Manolo González who was dismissed from his position on Tuesday following the exit from the Copa del Rey against Sestao River, one of the fourth division clubs. The Basque coach, who is 45 years old, has signed a contract that runs until June 30, 2028.

Pablo Sarabia returns to coaching after leaving Elche last summer for personal reasons, having led the team to promotion to the Primera División in 2025, and then helping them stay among the top teams last season. He also previously led Andorra to promotion from the third division to the second division, and worked as an assistant to coach Quique Setién at UD Las Palmas, Real Betis, and FC Barcelona.

The new coaching staff will include Jon López, Jon Moreno, Aitor Unzué, and Álvaro González, the former defender who wore the RCD Espanyol Barcelona shirt in 82 matches between 2014 and 2016, before playing for several clubs, most notably Villarreal, Olympique Marseille, and Al Nassr, and announcing his retirement last January.

However, Pablo Sarabia's first appearance on the bench will not be immediate, as he is still required to complete the suspension imposed on him from last season, after the Spanish Football Federation's disciplinary committee punished him with a four-match ban for insulting the refereeing staff following the match between Real Betis and Elche. The coach has served two matches of the suspension, meaning his official debut with RCD Espanyol will be delayed at least until the match against Athletic Bilbao scheduled for November 20.