José Manuel "Manolo" González Álvarez (born 14 January 1979) is a Spanish football manager and former player who is the current manager of La Liga club RCD Espanyol.
Playing career Born in Folgoso do Courel, Lugo, Galicia, González moved to Barcelona at the age of three, 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.
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. On 25 May of that year, he was appointed manager of the first team of Montañesa, in Tercera División.
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; he was presented by the club on 3 July. On 7 May 2015, after leading the club to a fifth place finish, he renewed his contract until 2018.
On 31 May 2018, González left Badalona to take over fellow third division side CD Ebro. 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.
On 7 October 2019, González returned to the Escapulats, replacing sacked Juanma Pons. He renewed his link with the club for a further year the following 20 May, but left on 26 May 2021, after refusing a new deal.
On 8 June 2021, González was named at the helm of SCR Peña Deportiva, in the newly-created Segunda División RFEF. On 31 May 2023, after missing out promotion in two consecutive play-offs, he left the club, and took over fellow league team RCD Espanyol B on 3 July.
On 12 March 2024, González was appointed manager of Espanyol's first team in Segunda División, replacing Luis Miguel Ramis. His first professional match in charge occurred five days later, a 1–0 away win over Real Zaragoza.
González led Espanyol to a promotion to La Liga at first attempt, after defeating Real Oviedo in the finals of the play-offs. He managed to narrowly avoid relegation in the 2024–25 campaign, and was named Manager of the Month in April after leading Espanyol to three consecutive victories.
On 15 July 2025, González renewed his contract with the Pericos until 2027. He was named Manager of the Month in December 2025.
Managerial statistics
+ Managerial record by team and tenure TeamNatFromToRecord Montañesa25 May 201220 June 2014 Badalona20 June 201431 May 2018 Ebro31 May 201823 May 2019Badalona7 October 201926 May 2021Peña Deportiva8 June 202131 May 2023 Espanyol B3 July 202312 March 2024 Espanyol12 March 2024PresentCareer total —
Honours Manager Individual La Liga Manager of the Month: April 2025, December 2025
References
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