Espanyol confirmed on Monday that they have sacked Sergio Gonzalez following a disappointing run of results and replaced him with former player Constantin Galca

Sergio spent six years as a player with Los Periquitos, making over 200 appearances for the club (B team and first team). He left in 2001 and spent nine years at Deportivo La Coruna but returned to the Catalan side in 2013 where he had a spell with the B team before getting promoted to first team coach in May 2014. 

Sergio had reasonable success last season and took the team to 10th place in La Liga and a Copa del Rey semi-final where they were beaten by Athletic Bilbao. However, things haven't gone as well this season and the club are currently 12th in La Liga, just three points clear of the relegation zone having won just one of their last seven in the league. The Espanyol hierarchy have been concerned at the poor form and decided that Saturday's loss to Celta de Vigo was the final straw. 

Quick to get the new man in

Espanyol haven't wasted any time in announcing Sergio's replacement and once again it is a former player, and in fact former team mate of Sergio's, who has got the job. Galca spent four years at Espanyol between 1997 and 2001, making over 100 appearances for the team before moving to Villarreal. After two years with El Submarino Amarillo he made the move to Andalusia to finish his career with Almeria

Galca retired in 2006 but returned to Almeria in 2009 as manager of their B team but only lasted a few months before being sacked after a poor run. Galca returned to management in 2013 with Romania under-17's before taking over at Steaua Bucharest where he won the Romanian domestic treble and he will be looking to bring that success to Espanyol. 

Galca will start his new role straight away and is expected to take training on Monday night ahead of his first game in charge against Levante in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday. He won't have much time to make an impact at his new team but he will be hopeful that the players will be out to impress him as he sets about the task of trying to take Espanyol back into the top half of La Liga.

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About the author
Gerry Johnston
Cover Spanish and Italian football for VAVEL UK.