César Suárez
Monchi, new general sporting director of Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Espanyol, facing an unprecedented crisis that has left them winless in La Liga in 2026 and threatens their top-flight survival, have announced the appointment of Ramón Rodríguez Verdejo, known as ‘Monchi’ (57), as their new sporting director.
The authority to make all final decisions on sporting matters is what convinced Monchi to join RCD Espanyol and take charge of the club’s sporting department.
The San Fernando native, who will need to balance this new role with his duties as president and majority shareholder of his hometown club, strengthens the structure of a side currently at a low point. Now, a globally recognized figure will oversee all executive sporting roles.
All these roles will fall under Monchi’s control, and he will report directly to CEO Mao Ye Wu and Alan Pace, the president and majority shareholder of Espanyol, respectively.
After retiring as a footballer, where he was a goalkeeper for Sevilla, Monchi began a 17-year stint as sporting director at the same club in July 2000. He later moved to Roma, returned to Sevilla for another four years, and then embarked on an adventure in the Premier League with Aston Villa.
Now, he will attempt to turn the club’s fortunes around by building a more professional and modern infrastructure.
His first major decision will concern the future of Manolo González as Espanyol’s head coach.
Espanyol’s current run
Football
Ramon Rodriguez Monchi
RCD Espanyol
CD San Fernando
LaLiga EA Sports
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