Espanyol Barcelona appoint Monchi as general sporting director amid survival fight | OneFootball

Espanyol Barcelona have appointed Monchi as general sporting director, the club announced on Monday, with the 57-year-old returning to La Liga as they battle to secure safety.

The Catalans lost 2-1 to Monchi’s former side Sevilla on Saturday and sit 14th on 39 points with three matches left. They are winless in 18 league games after a strong first half, when they won 10 of their opening 19.

Across 21 years at Sevilla, the Andalusian was regarded as a key architect of the most successful spell in the club’s history, delivering 11 trophies. That haul included seven Europa Leagues in 2006, 2007, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020 and 2023, two Copa del Rey titles in 2007 and 2008, the UEFA Super Cup in 2007 and the Spanish Super Cup in 2007.

He later worked at Roma from 2017 to 2019 and at Aston Villa from 2023 to 2025, where he consolidated a competitive European project with regular Champions League and Europa League qualifications. His most recent role was as president of CD San Fernando in Spain’s third tier since September last year.

At Espanyol, his initial brief is to restore confidence and support within the squad so they can rediscover the levels shown earlier this season.

Source: L'Équipe