Article by GSP.RO – Published on Thursday, 07 May 2026, 15:34 / Updated on Thursday, 07 May 2026 15:36
Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo (57), known as Monchi, has reached an agreement with Espanyol Barcelona. Starting next season, the Spaniard will take up the position of sporting director at the club.
Without a win in 2026, the Barcelona club are outlining their strategy for next season and the first move will be at management level. Caught in the stands with the president of Espanyol, the former sporting director of Sevilla and Aston Villa accepted the management's offer to join the club starting next season, Marca notes.
What conditions did Monchi set to sign with Espanyol
The first condition to take over the team is for Espanyol to stay in La Liga next season as well. With 4 stages before the end, the club from Barcelona is in 13th place, with 39 points, only 3 points above the occupant of the first relegable place, Alaves.
Monchi's second requirement is to be able to continue his work as president in charge of CD San Fernando, his hometown team. The Spaniard occupies this position within the Andalusian club from September 2025.
San Fernando, the club where Monchi took his first steps in football
“I left here in 1988. I went to Sevilla. It was all about closing the circle and returning to my city with emotion and dedication. I'm very excited,” Monchi told Radio Cadiz on his arrival at the club.
Following his departure from Aston Villa, the Spaniard has been solely concerned with building a healthy club at San Fernando:
“My only dream, my only obsession, my only motivation, my only dedication is Club Deportivo San Fernando. I want to dedicate as much time as possible to the club. From day one, this project must run parallel to the championship we are in and live up to the excitement generated in the city. It would be disrespectful not to be 100% involved in this project.”
The current club in San Fernando was founded last summer, after at the end of the 2024/2025 competitive season the managers at the time decided to liquidate the company. Along with Monchi, Sergio Ramos is also involved in the rebuilding process of the club, as a shareholder.
