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González: "We'll go out there to win"
The coach previews the final game of the season
Before RCD Espanyol's final game of the 2025/26 season, coach Manolo González talked to the media to preview the contest against Real Sociedad.
“We’ll go out there to win, to finish the campaign with three straight victories. We’ll go for the win from the first minute. That’s our intention," he said of the Matchday 38 fixture.
The coach also acknowledged that he was aware that a series of other results could give Los Pericos a European spot, but emphasised that “what I want is for the team to win. When our fate has been in our own hands, we’ve achieved it, but tomorrow we depend on other factors. If we manage to do it, it will be a great joy for everyone.”
On what lies ahead for him, González commented that “now is not the time to talk about my future. I'm a hard worker, and what I have to do is work, as I have done from day one. It’s not my job to think about myself, but to work to finish the season with nine points out of nine in the final matches.”
“The primary objective of the season was to avoid relegation, but I haven't forgotten that, without a spectacular first half of the season, it wouldn't have been easy either. There are many ways to look at it. I'm disappointed because it was a great start to the campaign, and it's been spoiled by various factors. The season is ending well, but it could have been much better.”
He reiterated that “we have to value staying in the top flight. It's no use having a great season once, and then being relegated the following year. The club want to keep moving forward, establishing ourselves. In the top flight, you can't take anything for granted. Everything is very competitive; it's a different world. Here, if you're not playing well, the opposition will punish you. And if you go on a bad run, that becomes even more the case.”
The coach revealed that he had never considered resigning, because he was convinced of the work being done.
“I wish we had won games earlier. I haven't ever given up. And I would never have led the players to the brink of a bad situation. I would give the season a seven out of ten rating: It could have been better, but also worse. The objective has been achieved, which is what's important. Espanyol are where we need to be, and this should help us grow and improve."