MADRID, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- La Liga struggler Espanyol appointed Eder Sarabia as its new head coach on Wednesday, a day after sacking Manolo Gonzalez following a shock Copa del Rey defeat to fourth-tier Sestao River.
Sarabia, 46, has signed a contract with the Barcelona-based club until June 2028. He takes over after Espanyol's 4-3 cup defeat prompted the dismissal of Gonzalez on Tuesday.
The former Elche and Andorra coach has been out of management since leaving Elche at the end of the 2025-26 season, citing the physical and personal demands of coaching.
"I need to look after other fundamental things in my life," Sarabia said at the time, explaining that he wanted to devote more attention to his life away from football.
Sarabia previously served as an assistant to Quique Setien at Las Palmas, Real Betis and Barcelona.
He will be officially presented to the media and supporters next Tuesday, with reserve-team coach Sergio Garcia taking temporary charge for Friday's La Liga match away to Villarreal. ■
