Revolution in sight for Espanyol in full fight to avoid relegation

Espanyol is playing for its life this Saturday (4:15 PM) at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. With a three-point cushion over the relegation zone and after 17 consecutive games without a win, a record for the start of a year in La Liga, they visit Sevilla's ground in a dramatic relegation battle. The Andalusians, also in a very delicate moment, are two points behind the 'periquitos' and, in case of victory, could seriously complicate the 'blanquiazules'' survival. It would be the third relegation in six years for the Catalan club.

The week leading up to the match is marked by the news of the more than likely signing of Ramón Rodríguez Verdejo, better known as Monchi, for Espanyol. The architect of Sevilla's most successful history watched live the Espanyol-Real Madrid match last Sunday at Cornellà-El Prat from one of the stadium's private boxes. Television captured the image and rumors began to fly. Also present on the field was Alan Pace, owner of the 'periquito' club. The American wants Monchi to head the sports department starting next summer and is in negotiations with the Andalusian sporting director.

Monchi says yes to Pace

As advanced by Mundo Deportivo and confirmed by ARA, Monchi sees favorably landing in Barcelona and would have already given the yes to Alan Pace. He would arrive with some collaborators, including Fernando Navarro, whom he already had under his command at Sevilla. But Monchi's signing for Espanyol is neither signed nor definitive by any means.

Among other clauses, it is subject to the team's permanence in the First Division, which could be facilitated by a victory at the Sánchez-Pizjuán, the home of the team that the one from San Fernando idolizes and with whom he had been linked in recent days. According to the aforementioned media, Monchi, who in September ceased to be the director of operations at Aston Villa, could combine his role at Espanyol with the presidency of San Fernando, the Tercera RFEF club he currently manages.

The current sporting director of Espanyol is Fran Garagarza, who is still recovering from the heart attack he suffered in November. He is part of a sports committee in which Sergio Ortega, who is the coordinator; Alexander Rosen, who is an external sports advisor to the ownership; Unai Ezcurra, director of processes and big data and who has taken on some of Garagarza's duties in his absence; and the main shareholder, Alan Pace, also have their say. Since the scare, Garagarza has lost a lot of weight in sporting decisions; in fact, if it were up to him, Manolo González would have been sacked weeks ago. He has also had some disagreements with the new youth football management.

Bordalás appeals to Monchi

Alan Pace's modus operandi, who is not one to fire his coaches –he hasn't done so with Burnley's, despite their relegation to the Championship–, suggests that Manolo González will finish the season on the Espanyol bench. But what happens after June is another story. The Galician coach has a contract for an automatic renewal until 2027 if Espanyol stays up, but we'll have to see if both parties agree to extend the contract because in recent weeks the relationship between the club, its circle, the fans, and Manolo, who has been coach, spokesperson, and scapegoat, has been greatly strained. "I ask that if I am here it be because people want me, that I be a figure of unity and not of disagreement," he said a few months ago.

According to SPORT, Monchi would take on the role of general sports director, above Garagarza, and in case of not reaching an agreement with Manolo González, the chosen one to replace him on the Cornellà-El Prat bench could be José Bordalás. The Alicante coach, who will not renew with Getafe, is very much to the Andalusian's liking. All of this would be a change of direction in the management of a Pace who is awaiting permanence to build the Espanyol of the future.