MADRID, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Former player and B-team coach Sergio Garcia will take temporary charge of Espanyol after the La Liga side sacked Manolo Gonzalez following its Copa del Rey exit against Sestao River on Tuesday night.
Gonzalez leaves Espanyol after 107 matches in charge, recording 33 wins, 30 draws and 44 defeats. The team currently sits in La Liga's bottom three and faces a difficult away match against Villarreal on Friday night.
Garcia will oversee training sessions and take charge of the team for Friday's match as the club searches for a permanent successor to Gonzalez. Jose Luis Mendilibar and Julen Lopetegui have both been mentioned in the Spanish press as possible candidates.
Garcia spent seven seasons at Espanyol across two spells as a player, scoring 50 goals in 231 appearances. After retiring, he coached Spain's Under-17 team before joining Espanyol this summer. Under his guidance, Espanyol B has recorded five wins, one draw and one defeat this season. ■
