Manolo González

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Manolo González

| image =

| caption =

| fullname = José Manuel González Álvarez

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|1|14|df=y}}

| birth_place = Folgoso do Courel, Spain

| height =

| position =

| currentclub = Espanyol (manager)

| youthyears1 = 1987–1988 | youthclubs1 = Colegio Dalvi

| youthyears2 = 1988–1996 | youthclubs2 = Martinenc

| youthyears3 = 1996–1997 | youthclubs3 = Sant Gabriel

| years1 = | clubs1 = Martinenc | caps1 = | goals1 =

| years2 = | clubs2 = Gramenet B | caps2 = | goals2 =

| years3 = | clubs3 = Santboià | caps3 = | goals3 =

| years4 = | clubs4 = Montañesa | caps4 = | goals4 =

| years5 = | clubs5 = Poble Sec | caps5 = | goals5 =

| totalcaps = | totalgoals =

| manageryears1 = 1995–1996 | managerclubs1 = Martinenc (youth)

| manageryears2 = 1996–2005 | managerclubs2 = Sant Gabriel (youth)

| manageryears3 = 2005–2012 | managerclubs3 = Badalona (youth)

| manageryears4 = 2012–2014 | managerclubs4 = Montañesa

| manageryears5 = 2014–2018 | managerclubs5 = Badalona

| manageryears6 = 2018–2019 | managerclubs6 = Ebro

| manageryears7 = 2019–2021 | managerclubs7 = Badalona

| manageryears8 = 2021–2023 | managerclubs8 = Peña Deportiva

| manageryears9 = 2023–2024 | managerclubs9 = Espanyol B

| manageryears10 = 2024– | managerclubs10 = Espanyol

}}

José Manuel "Manolo" González Álvarez (born 14 January 1979) is a Spanish football manager and former player, who is the currently manager of La Liga club RCD Espanyol.

Playing career

Born in Folgoso do Courel, Lugo, Galicia,{{cite web|url=https://www.elprogreso.es/articulo/deporte-local-lugo/ramis-destituido-como-tecnico-espanyol-manolo-gonzalez-filial-sustituira/202403121536501739002.html|title=El nuevo entrenador del Espanyol es de Folgoso do Courel|trans-title=The new manager of Espanyol is from Folgoso do Courel|publisher=El Progreso|language=es|date=12 March 2024|accessdate=13 March 2024}} González moved to Barcelona at the age of three,{{cite web|url=https://as.com/futbol/segunda/manolo-gonzalez-el-conductor-de-autobuses-que-se-curro-llegar-a-la-elite-n/|title=Manolo González, el conductor de autobuses que se curró llegar a la elite|trans-title=Manolo González, the bus driver who worked his way up to the elite|publisher=Diario AS|language=es|date=12 March 2024|accessdate=13 March 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.elperiodico.com/es/nou-barris/20140715/manolo-gonzalez-lujo-aficion-hueco-3383060|title=Manolo González: «Es un lujo tener una afición como la de Al Hueco»|trans-title=Manolo González: "It is a luxury to have supporters like the Al Hueco"|publisher=El Periódico|language=es|date=15 July 2014|accessdate=13 March 2024}} and began his career with Colegio Dalvi at the age of eight. In the following year, he moved to FC Martinenc, and spent a year with CE Sant Gabriel before making his senior debut with the former.

González subsequently played for UDA Gramenet B, FC Santboià and CF Montañesa, suffering a serious knee injury with the latter. He subsequently signed for UE Poble Sec, but had to retire.

Managerial career

González started his managerial career at the age of 16, being in charge of the Infantil B squad of Martinenc. He subsequently managed San Gabriel in several different categories, also working as an urban bus driver.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.es/deportes/futbol/abci-manolo-gonzalez-exconductor-autobus-guia-sorprendente-badalona-202001120148_noticia.html|title=Manolo González, el exconductor de autobús que guía al sorprendente Badalona|trans-title=Manolo González, the former bus driver who guides the surprising Badalona|publisher=ABC|language=es|date=13 January 2020|accessdate=13 March 2024}}

In 2005, González joined CF Badalona as a manager of the Juvenil squad, and was in charge of the side for seven years before departing in May 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/deportes/futbol/20120510/54290574661/manolo-gonzalez-entrenador-badalona.html|title=Manolo González: "La marcha de Gerard Moreno, Isaías o Blas es la muestra de que en Badalona se están haciendo las cosas bien"|trans-title=Manolo González: "The departure of Gerard Moreno, Isaías or Blas is the demonstration that at Badalona they are doing the right things"|publisher=La Vanguardia|language=es|date=9 May 2012|accessdate=13 March 2024}} On 25 May of that year, he was appointed manager of the first team of Montañesa, in Tercera División.{{cite web|url=https://beteve.cat/esports/manolo-gonzalez-nou-entrenador-del-muntanyesa/|title=Manolo González, nou entrenador del Muntanyesa|trans-title=Manolo González, new manager of Montañesa|publisher=Betevé|language=ca|date=25 May 2012|accessdate=13 March 2024}}

On 20 June 2014, after missing out promotion in the play-offs, González returned to Badalona, now as manager of the main squad in Segunda División B;{{cite web|url=https://www.diaridebadalona.com/noticia/manolo-gonzalez-es-lescollit-per-a-la-banqueta/|title=Manolo González és l’escollit per a la banqueta|trans-title=Manolo González is the chosen one for the bench|publisher=Diari de Badalona|language=ca|date=20 June 2014|accessdate=13 March 2024}} he was presented by the club on 3 July.{{cite web|url=http://esports.laxarxa.cat/futbol/noticia/manolo-gonzalez-agafa-les-regnes-del-badalona|title=Manolo González agafa les regnes del Badalona|trans-title=Manolo González takes the reins of Badalona|publisher=La Xarxa|language=ca|date=3 July 2014|accessdate=13 March 2024}} On 7 May 2015, after leading the club to a fifth place finish, he renewed his contract until 2018.{{cite web|url=https://liniaxarxa.cat/linianord-barcelonesnord/esports/el-cf-badalona-renova-manolo-gonzalez-fins-al-2018/|title=El CF Badalona renova Manolo González fins al 2018|trans-title=CF Badalona renew Manolo González until 2018|publisher=Línia Nord|language=ca|date=7 May 2015|accessdate=13 March 2024}}

On 31 May 2018, González left Badalona to take over fellow third division side CD Ebro.{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldo.es/noticias/deportes/aficion/2018/05/31/manolo-gonzalez-elegido-para-sustituir-larraz-ebro-1246893-1831025.html|title=Manolo González llega al banquillo del Ebro|trans-title=Manolo González arrives on the bench of Ebro|publisher=Heraldo de Aragón|language=es|date=31 May 2018|accessdate=13 March 2024}} Despite leading the club to the round of 32 in the season's Copa del Rey and a 9th place in the league, he left on a mutual agreement on 23 May 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.elperiodicodearagon.com/deportes/2019/05/23/ebro-da-finalizada-relacion-manolo-46643413.html|title=El Ebro da por finalizada su relación con Manolo González|trans-title=Ebro end their relationship with Manolo González|publisher=El Periódico de Aragón|language=es|date=23 May 2019|accessdate=13 March 2024}}

On 7 October 2019, González returned to the Escapulats, replacing sacked Juanma Pons.{{cite web|url=https://www.eltotbadalona.cat/pons-destituit-i-manolo-gonzalez-torna-al-badalona/|title=Pons destituït i Manolo González torna al Badalona|trans-title=Pons sacked and Manolo González returns to Badalona|publisher=El Tot de Badalona|language=ca|date=7 October 2019|accessdate=13 March 2024}} He renewed his link with the club for a further year the following 20 May,{{cite web|url=https://www.lesportiudecatalunya.cat/futbolcat/article/1793334-el-badalona-i-manolo-gonzalez-junts-un-curs-mes.html|title=El Badalona i Manolo González, junts un curs més|trans-title=Badalona and Manolo González, together one more season|publisher=L'Esportiu|language=ca|date=20 May 2020|accessdate=13 March 2024}} but left on 26 May 2021, after refusing a new deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.lesportiudecatalunya.cat/futbol/article/1976312-manolo-gonzalez-no-continuara-com-a-tecnic-del-badalona.html|title=Manolo González no continuarà com a tècnic del Badalona|trans-title=Manolo González will not continue as manager of Badalona|publisher=L'Esportiu|language=ca|date=26 May 2021|accessdate=13 March 2024}}

On 8 June 2021, González was named at the helm of SCR Peña Deportiva, in the newly-created Segunda División RFEF.{{cite web|url=https://www.periodicodeibiza.es/deportes/deporte-ibiza/2021/06/08/1272555/manolo-gonzalez-nuevo-entrenador-pena-deportiva.html|title=Manolo González, nuevo entrenador de la Peña Deportiva|trans-title=Manolo González, new manager of Peña Deportiva|publisher=Periódico de Ibiza|language=es|date=8 June 2021|accessdate=13 March 2024}} On 31 May 2023, after missing out promotion in two consecutive play-offs, he left the club,{{cite web|url=https://cadenaser.com/baleares/2023/06/01/manolo-gonzalez-no-sigue-en-el-banquillo-de-la-pena-deportiva-radio-ibiza/|title=Manolo González no sigue en el banquillo de la Peña Deportiva|trans-title=Manolo González does not continue on the bench of Peña Deportiva|publisher=Cadena SER|language=es|date=31 May 2023|accessdate=13 March 2024}} and took over fellow league team RCD Espanyol B on 3 July.{{cite web|url=https://www.rcdespanyol.com/es/noticia/manolo-gonzalez,-nuevo-entrenador-del-espanyol-b/15731|title=Manolo González, nuevo entrenador del Espanyol B|trans-title=Manolo González, new manager of Espanyol B|publisher=RCD Espanyol|language=es|date=3 July 2023|accessdate=13 March 2024}}

On 12 March 2024, González was appointed manager of Espanyol's first team in Segunda División, replacing Luis Miguel Ramis.{{cite web|url=https://www.rcdespanyol.com/ca/noticia/manolo-gonzalez,-nou-entrenador-del-rcd-espanyol/16835|title=Manolo González, nou entrenador del RCD Espanyol|trans-title=Manolo González, new manager of RCD Espanyol|publisher=RCD Espanyol|language=ca|date=12 March 2024|accessdate=13 March 2024}} His first professional match in charge occurred five days later, a 1–0 away win over Real Zaragoza.{{cite web|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/segunda-division/cronica/2024/03/17/65f734d1ca4741401a8b45a4.html|title=Puado amarga el debut de Víctor y alegra el de González|trans-title=Puado bitters Víctor's debut and lightens up González's|publisher=Marca|language=es|date=17 March 2024|accessdate=17 March 2024}}

González led Espanyol to a promotion to La Liga at first attempt, after defeating Real Oviedo in the finals of the play-offs.{{cite web|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/espanyol/2024/06/23/6678472de2704e96128b459b.html|title=Manolo González, el mejor 'conductor' para un equipo de Primera|trans-title=Manolo González, the best 'conductor' for a Primera team|publisher=Marca|language=es|date=23 June 2024|accessdate=24 June 2024}}

Managerial statistics

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
rowspan="2"\|Team !rowspan="2"\|Nat !rowspan="2"\|From !rowspan="2"\|To !colspan="8"\|Record !rowspan=2\|{{abbr\|Ref\|Reference}}
{{Tooltip\|G\|Games managed}} !{{Tooltip\|W\|Games won}} !{{Tooltip\|D\|Games drawn}} !{{Tooltip\|L\|Games lost}} !{{Tooltip\|GF\|Goals for}} !{{Tooltip\|GA\|Goals against}} !{{Tooltip\|GD\|Goal difference}} !{{Tooltip\|Win %\|Winning percentage}}
align="left" \|Montañesa \|{{flagicon\|ESP}} \|align=left\|25 May 2012 \|align=left\|20 June 2014 {{WDL\|80\|32\|26\|22\|for=101\|against=85\|diff=yes}} \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.resultados-futbol.com/Montanesa/2013\|title=Montañesa\|publisher=Resultados Fútbol\|language=es\|access-date=13 March 2024}} {{cite web\|url=https://www.resultados-futbol.com/Montanesa/2014\|title=Montañesa\|publisher=Resultados Fútbol\|language=es\|access-date=13 March 2024}} {{cite web\|url=https://arquero-arba.futbolplus.com/Nacionales/2013-14/1314-3-asc.htm\|title=Fase de ascenso a Segunda División B 2013–14\|trans-title=Promotion phase to Second Division B 2013–14\|publisher=Futbolme\|language=es\|access-date=13 March 2024}}
align="left" \|Badalona \|{{flagicon\|ESP}} \|align=left\|20 June 2014 \|align=left\|31 May 2018 {{WDL\|162\|56\|60\|46\|for=173\|against=159\|diff=yes}} \|{{BDFutbol season\|l500433\|2014-15\|access-date=13 March 2024}} {{BDFutbol season\|l500433\|2015-16\|access-date=13 March 2024}} {{BDFutbol season\|l500433\|2016-17\|access-date=13 March 2024}} {{BDFutbol season\|l500433\|2017-18\|access-date=13 March 2024}}
align="left" \|Ebro \|{{flagicon\|ESP}} \|align=left\|31 May 2018 \|align=left\|23 May 2019 {{WDL\|42\|13\|17\|12\|for=33\|against=38\|diff=yes}} \|{{BDFutbol season\|l500433\|2018-19\|access-date=13 March 2024}}
align="left" \|Badalona \|{{flagicon\|ESP}} \|align=left\|7 October 2019 \|align=left\|26 May 2021 {{WDL\|50\|15\|17\|18\|for=43\|against=49\|diff=yes}} \|{{BDFutbol season\|l500433\|2019-20\|access-date=13 March 2024}} {{BDFutbol season\|l500433\|2020-21\|access-date=13 March 2024}}
align="left"\|Peña Deportiva \|{{flagicon\|ESP}} \|align=left\|8 June 2021 \|align=left\|31 May 2023 {{WDL\|75\|35\|22\|18\|for=102\|against=66\|diff=yes}} \|{{BDFutbol season\|l500433\|2021-22\|access-date=13 March 2024}} {{BDFutbol season\|l500433\|2022-23\|access-date=13 March 2024}}
align="left"\| Espanyol B \|{{flagicon\|ESP}} \|align=left\|3 July 2023 \|align=left\|12 March 2024 {{WDL\|26\|10\|8\|8\|for=32\|against=29\|diff=yes}} \|{{BDFutbol season\|l500433\|2023-24\|team=155\|access-date=13 March 2024}}
align="left"\| Espanyol \|{{flagicon\|ESP}} \|align=left\|12 March 2024 \|align=left\|Present {{WDL\|51\|17\|18\|16\|for=54\|against=51\|diff=yes}} \|{{BDFutbol season\|l500433\|2023-24\|team=14\|access-date=14 March 2024}}
colspan=4 \|Career total {{WDLtot\|486\|178\|168\|140\|for=538\|against=477\|diff=yes}} !—

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan="2"|Team

!rowspan="2"|Nat

!rowspan="2"|From

!rowspan="2"|To

!colspan="8"|Record

!rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref|Reference}}

!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}

!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}

!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}

!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}

!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}

!{{Tooltip|GD|Goal difference}}

!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}

align="left" |Montañesa

|{{flagicon|ESP}}

|align=left|25 May 2012

|align=left|20 June 2014

|{{cite web|url=https://www.resultados-futbol.com/Montanesa/2013|title=Montañesa|publisher=Resultados Fútbol|language=es|access-date=13 March 2024}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.resultados-futbol.com/Montanesa/2014|title=Montañesa|publisher=Resultados Fútbol|language=es|access-date=13 March 2024}}
{{cite web|url=https://arquero-arba.futbolplus.com/Nacionales/2013-14/1314-3-asc.htm|title=Fase de ascenso a Segunda División B 2013–14|trans-title=Promotion phase to Second Division B 2013–14|publisher=Futbolme|language=es|access-date=13 March 2024}}

align="left" |Badalona

|{{flagicon|ESP}}

|align=left|20 June 2014

|align=left|31 May 2018

|{{BDFutbol season|l500433|2014-15|access-date=13 March 2024}}
{{BDFutbol season|l500433|2015-16|access-date=13 March 2024}}
{{BDFutbol season|l500433|2016-17|access-date=13 March 2024}}
{{BDFutbol season|l500433|2017-18|access-date=13 March 2024}}

align="left" |Ebro

|{{flagicon|ESP}}

|align=left|31 May 2018

|align=left|23 May 2019

|{{BDFutbol season|l500433|2018-19|access-date=13 March 2024}}

align="left" |Badalona

|{{flagicon|ESP}}

|align=left|7 October 2019

|align=left|26 May 2021

|{{BDFutbol season|l500433|2019-20|access-date=13 March 2024}}
{{BDFutbol season|l500433|2020-21|access-date=13 March 2024}}

align="left"|Peña Deportiva

|{{flagicon|ESP}}