Measured Manolo guiding Espanyol in direction of security

Along with his group now holding a six-point benefit now on the underside three, Manolo Gonzalez deserves huge credit score for the job he’s doing on the RCDE Stadium, in steering the 2023/24 Segunda Division play-off winners in direction of security, regardless of strict monetary limits which have meant Espanyol have needed to solely depend on mortgage signings and free transfers since successful promotion.

The 46-year-old continues to fly below the radar by way of the conservation about which LaLiga coaches have achieved one of the best jobs this time period. Hansi Flick’s work at Catalan rivals Barcelona has rightly acquired many plaudits, whereas the likes of Claudio Giraldez, Iñigo Perez and extra not too long ago Carlos Corberan are usually cited because the coaches doing probably the most spectacular issues decrease down the league.

Even Borja Jimenez, whose Leganes facet is at present in nineteenth place, has been extensively touted as a probable candidate for a “greater job” within the close to future.

How Manolo has introduced readability and calm to a troubled membership

Whereas Espanyol’s presence at this stage is extra anticipated, and that will partly clarify why little fuss has been remodeled Manolo till this level, it’s exhausting to think about how anybody might have achieved a considerably higher job within the 13 months since he took the reins on the RCDE Stadium.

When he was promoted from his function as B-team boss on the then Segunda Division membership final March, Manolo grew to become Espanyol’s third coach of the season following within the footsteps of Luis Garcia and Luis Miguel Ramis, and remarkably the twelfth appointment for the reason that departure of Quique Sanchez Flores in 2018.

Whereas there have been extra attracts than victories initially, an unbeaten run noticed Espanyol attain the play-offs the place they sealed promotion in late June by defeating Asturian duo Sporting Gijon and Actual Oviedo.

With no actual funding doable within the switch market, and with final season’s Segunda Division prime scorer Martin Braithwaite opting to terminate his personal contract in the summertime, the omens didn’t look significantly good for Espanyol heading into the 2024/25 marketing campaign.

Nevertheless, slowly however absolutely, and with out doing something significantly radical, Manolo has constructed a aggressive facet, one that’s conscious of its personal limitations, however able to giving most sides a run for his or her cash, significantly in Cornella the place 69% of their factors have come.

January additions the right slot in a younger facet

With a median age of 25.4, Espanyol rank because the fourth youngest facet in LaLiga 2024/25, behind solely Barcelona, Valencia and Actual Sociedad.

Given his background with the reserve facet, it’s maybe no shock that Manolo has seemed to proceed growing homegrown skills resembling Joan Garcia, Omar El Hilali and Jofre Carreras, who’re all 23 or below and rank amongst the eight most-used Espanyol gamers this season by way of minutes on the pitch in LaLiga.

The membership additionally did brilliantly in January, by making two main mortgage additions, each of whom have slotted in seamlessly into not solely the youthful vibe of the squad, but additionally by way of plugging gaps within the beginning lineup that wanted filling.

Roberto Fernandez, signed from Braga, has given Espanyol not solely a much-needed bodily presence up prime, however probably the most priceless commodity of all – objectives. His brace at Balaidos took the younger Spaniard onto 5 already in LaLiga from 11 appearances, making him his group’s second highest scorer this time period behind Javi Puado.

The 22-year-old has confirmed to be an enormous improve on Espanyol’s different strikers, with Alejo Veliz and Walid Cheddira every netting simply as soon as within the league.

In the meantime, Urko Gonzalez additionally arrived on mortgage from Actual Sociedad and has seemed instantly at house on the base of the Espanyol midfield. The Catalans have solely misplaced as soon as to date within the 9 matches that the 24-year-old has appeared in.

Bums on seats – Followers flooding again to the RCDE Stadium

Unsure occasions probably nonetheless lie forward for Espanyol, with an enormous squad turnover doubtless this summer time given 13 gamers will both be out of contract, or see their loans finish in June. Lengthy-serving academy product Puado is among the many gamers who might depart on a free switch, whereas goalkeeper Joan Garcia could be very extremely rated and may very well be the topic of curiosity from different golf equipment.

Nevertheless, for now at the very least, the feelgood issue could be very a lot again on the RCDE Stadium which is registering its highest crowds in a few years, as supporters flock to see Manolo’s facet in motion.

In accordance with transfermarkt.com’s figures, Espanyol’s present common attendance of 24,416 is their highest for the reason that 2010/11 season when a younger Mauricio Pochettino was their coach.

That common has grown as this marketing campaign has progressed, with Espanyol followers more and more seeing a group they’ll relate to and get behind, with greater than 30,000 inside the bottom for the go to of the 2 Madrid golf equipment for the reason that flip of the yr.

Carlos Romero’s late winner in opposition to Los Blancos in February will rank among the many greatest moments for a era of Periquitos who could be too younger to recollect their run to the 2006/07 UEFA Cup last below Ernesto Valverde, or the earlier season’s Copa del Rey success.

Whether or not this present purple patch turns right into a extra sustained revival on the membership, is dependent upon many components, and in fact Chen Yansheng’s presidency has been filled with false dawns.

Espanyol followers received’t want reminding that their membership was relegated in simply their second season again within the prime flight after final gaining promotion in 2021, however for now at the very least, they’ve a younger group that’s giving them loads of motive to cheer, and in Manolo Gonzalez, a protected pair of palms on the wheel.