Monchi has rejected suggestions that Manolo González’s position as Espanyol coach was under threat after defeats by Rayo Vallecano and Elche.
The club’s director general for sport says his only focus after the loss to Elche was supporting the coach and players rather than considering a change in the dugout.
“My only objective once the Elche match ended was to be close to the coach, listen to him and try to help him with whatever I thought could be useful,” Monchi told SPORT.
He said González has retained his full backing since their first meeting.
“The issue is not why he remains the coach. From the first night I sat down with him, I gave him total confidence that I wanted him to be the coach of the project I had been given the opportunity to lead. Nothing has changed.”
Monchi says owner Alan Pace has given him freedom to lead the sporting project.
“Today my relationship with Alan is continuous and he trusts what I communicate to him,” he said. “We talk about everything with complete trust.”
Monchi also believes Espanyol’s identity and his own experience can help attract players who might otherwise be beyond the club’s reach.
“The Espanyol brand is a strong brand,” he said. “It has many things because of its history, stadium, supporters and city, and it has a lot of power. If we add a sporting department with a certain recognition, the overall package is good.”
That approach extends to his expectations for the club. Monchi says Espanyol should aim to move towards the upper reaches of La Liga, but believes that must be achieved by building solid foundations.
“The steps and the experience I gained during my years at Sevilla tell me that when you build it, you have to go floor by floor,” he said. “Otherwise, if you have not built a good building, it falls down.”
He insists that caution should not be confused with a lack of ambition.
“It is not a conservative message, it is not a negative message, it is not a pessimistic message,” Monchi said. “It is a message based on objectivity and the knowledge and experience I believe I have.”
For Monchi, the bigger objective is to make Espanyol stronger on and off the pitch.
“I understand that Espanyol supporters are obsessed with the derby, but I think any Espanyol fan would sign for a good season and a good position even if it meant losing the derbies,” he said.
“When you grow as a club and as a team, the distances get shorter.”