Pochettino leads Espanyol into new era

Espanyol

Espanyol have confirmed they have parted company with coach Jose Manuel Esnal 'Mane' and named Mauricio Pochettino as his replacement.


The decision to sack Mane was made during a board meeting overnight but the news was not made official until after Espanyol president Daniel Sanchez Llibre had met with Mane to explain the decision.


The new man in charge is Argentinian Pochettino, who will be officially presented today before taking charge of his first training session immediately afterwards.


The former Espanyol defender, who had two separate spells as a player at the club, will face a baptism of fire in his debut match as tomorrow night they face runaway Primera Liga leaders Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final.


Mane's final match in charge was Sunday's 4-0 loss at Malaga, a result which left the Catalan club in 18th spot in the standings, five points adrift of 17th-placed Numancia and safety.


Espanyol's current position is one place lower than when Mane took over at the start of December as the replacement for the sacked Bartolome Marquez.


Mane was given a contract until the end of the season but the former Alaves, Real Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao coach was unable to turn things around and he leaves with a record of one win, three draws and four defeats from his eight competitive games in charge.


That solitary victory came against Segunda Division B side Polideportivo Ejido in last week's Copa del Rey last 16 second leg, setting up a quarter-final showdown against local rivals Barca.


Sacked Espanyol boss explains 'Mane' problem
Sacked Espanyol coach Jose Manuel Esnal 'Mane' has wished the struggling Primera Liga outfit the best in their fight to escape the relegation zone.


Mane only took over at Espanyol at the start of December but his tenure lasted just eight league and cup games before he was informed early this morning that his services were no longer required.


The much-traveled 58-year-old leaves with Espanyol stuck in the bottom three of La Liga and five points adrift of safety, but the Basque coach is keeping his fingers crossed the Catalan outfit will not be in trouble for long.


In a statement released on the Espanyol website, Mane gave his thanks and also wished the club well for the future, saying: "On behalf of me and my assistant Angel Garitano, I'd like to thank the players, staff, media and fans of Espanyol for the reception they have given us in the short time we have been at the club.


"I want to extend this thanks to the city of Barcelona where I have felt comfortable and treated very well.


"Above all I hope that Espanyol get out of the difficult sporting situation they find themselves in as soon as possible, and I hope that whenever I'm back in Barcelona I find it as pleasurable as I did during this professional experience."


Mane has been replaced on the bench by former Espanyol defender Mauricio Pochettino.