The club announced the appointment on their official website this week. The deal was contingent on Espanyol retaining their La Liga status and, with the club now 14th — two points above the relegation zone with three matches remaining — the survival fight that will decide whether Monchi's project begins remains far from settled.
Monchi, 57, spent eight years at Aston Villa as director of football operations, joining from Sevilla in 2023. He left Villa in September of last year following the appointment of Roberto Olabe as the club's sporting director, moving into an advisory role with V Sports — the parent company that owns Aston Villa — before being released to pursue this appointment.
His track record speaks for itself. During his 17 years across two spells at Sevilla, Monchi built a scouting network and transfer methodology that turned the Andalusian club into a European powerhouse, winning the UEFA Europa League six times. Names he identified and developed include Sergio Ramos, Iván Rakitić, Jesús Navas, Álvaro Negredo and Dani Alves.
He is contracted to Españyol subject to survival. His first decisions will include the future of head coach Manolo González, whose side has gone over four months without a La Liga victory. Targets including former Getafe head coach José Bordalás have been mentioned as potential replacements.
Monchi also serves as president of CD San Fernando, the lower-division Andalusian club he intends to continue overseeing in conjunction with his new role — a dual commitment he cleared with Espanyol's American ownership group ahead of signing.
Three matches remain. Until survival is confirmed, Monchi's Espanyol era is one result away from being over before it has started.