• RCD Mallorca have kept manager Martin Demichelis until 2028. The club dropped to the second tier on the final day of the season.
• RCD Espanyol have extended Manolo Gonzalez’s contract until 2027. He kept the club up despite a 19-game winless run earlier in the year.
• Getafe boss Jose Bordalas must decide his future by Monday. Moves to Espanyol and Sevilla are no longer possible for the out-of-contract coach.
• Other coaches are on the move. Inigo Perez will leave Rayo Vallecano, while Eder Sarabia has resigned from Elche.
• Michel Sanchez looks set to take charge at Ajax after leaving relegated Girona.

The summer coaching carousel has started. Two La Liga clubs have confirmed their managers will stay. This comes after difficult seasons for both teams.

RCD Mallorca have decided to keep Martin Demichelis. The Argentine coach led the team to relegation on the last day. They lost their final matches against Levante, Alaves and Getafe. Despite this drop to the second tier, the club has backed him. He has signed until 2028. The manager had said he wanted to stay even if the club went down.

RCD Espanyol have also acted. They have kept Manolo Gonzalez until 2027. The coach faced huge pressure this year. His team went 19 games without a win. However, they won two of their last three matches. This was enough to avoid the drop. New General Sporting Director Monchi decided to back him. The players and fans showed their support for the emotional coach in the final weeks.

Other changes are happening across the league. Inigo Perez will exit Rayo Vallecano when his deal ends. Eder Sarabia has shocked Elche fans by resigning. He kept the club up but decided to leave anyway. Michel Sanchez has left Girona after they went down. He could not beat Elche on the final day. He now looks set to become the new Ajax boss.

Jose Bordalas faces uncertainty. The Getafe manager is out of contract this summer. Espanyol had considered him for their vacancy. However, they will not offer him the job now. Sevilla had also shown interest. But talks for Sergio Ramos to buy the club have failed. This means the Sevilla job may not be available either. According to Diario AS, Bordalas will decide his future by Monday. He might still sign a new deal with Getafe. He led them to the Conference League this season.

• Getafe clinch 7th place and a UEFA Conference League spot under José Bordalás despite making a €38 million profit in the transfer market.
• Girona FC drop to the Segunda División after a nine-point swing in the final weeks, leaving manager Michel Sánchez devastated.
• Espanyol forward Pere Milla produces a Dennis Bergkamp-inspired turn and assist against Real Sociedad.
• Getafe boast the third-best defence in La Liga, conceding only 38 goals all season.
• Girona’s relegation came down to fine margins, including a crucial injury to top scorer Vladyslav Vanat and Thomas Lemar hitting the crossbar.

Spain’s top flight delivered a dramatic final week filled with contrasting emotions. From unexpected triumph to painful failure, the closing matches provided stories that will echo through the summer.

The Good: Getafe’s Unlikely Triumph

José Bordalás has worked a minor miracle in southern Madrid. Getafe will compete in European football next season after securing seventh place and a Conference League berth. This achievement defies financial logic. The club has operated at a profit of €38 million during Bordalás’s current spell. They have spent less money than many teams pay for a single player.

The English press often compares Getafe to Tony Pulis’s Stoke City side from the late 2000s. Both teams play physical football and make life uncomfortable for opponents. However, the financial comparison ends there. Stoke spent more in their first Premier League transfer window than Getafe have spent throughout Bordalás’s entire second term at the club.

The results speak for themselves. Only Real Madrid and Barcelona conceded fewer than Getafe’s 38 goals this term. Los Azulones won 15 matches despite scoring just 32 goals. Only bottom-placed Real Oviedo found the net fewer times. This defensive steel has carried them to Europe.

The bond between the manager and supporters runs deep. Fans invaded the pitch after the final whistle to celebrate with their heroes. They sang “Bordalás, I love you” with passion. The city has officially named him an adopted son. While players like Luis Milla and Djene Dakonam provide quality on the pitch, everyone knows Bordalás is the true captain steering the ship.

The Bad: Girona’s Cruel Demise

While Getafe celebrated, Girona faced despair. The Catalan club suffered relegation to the second tier despite possessing a squad good enough for top-flight survival. Manager Michel Sánchez admitted he felt guilty and responsible for “failing his people.”

The margins were brutally thin. When striker Vladyslav Vanat suffered an injury in April, Girona’s season collapsed. They failed to win any of their final eight matches, collecting just four points from a possible 24. Without their main goal threat, the attack dried up. They scored more than once in only one of those games.

Opportunities came and went. Thomas Lemar struck the crossbar with ten minutes remaining in a crucial match. Veteran captain Cristhian Stuani, now 39 years old, battled fitness issues but still had to lead the line. The squad lacked the depth to survive without key players fit.

Michel posted an emotional message on social media two days after the final match. He spoke of enormous sadness and emptiness. He promised the club would return to the elite because “Girona is immortal.” For now, however, the pain of dropping down a level will linger.

The Beautiful: Milla’s Moment of Genius

Amidst the tension, one moment provided pure joy. Espanyol’s Pere Milla produced a piece of skill that will live long in the memory. Playing against Real Sociedad, the 33-year-old received the ball with his back to goal. Two defenders closed in. What happened next was magical.

Milla executed a perfect drag-back and turn, reminiscent of Dennis Bergkamp’s famous goal for Arsenal against Newcastle United. He spun away from Igor Zubeldia and left Benat Turrientes behind. Unfortunately, more defenders blocked his path to goal. Rather than forcing a shot, he showed awareness to slide the ball across to Roberto Fernandez, who scored.

The goal sealed the moment, but the turn was the story. It reminded supporters why they love this sport. Even in dead rubbers, individual brilliance can light up the pitch. For Milla, born far from the bright lights in rural Catalonia, it was a dream moment that connected him to one of the Premier League’s most iconic goals.

• Espanyol chief operating officer Brad Spiby defends multi-club ownership under ALK Capital
• He criticises Premier League financial rules as “backward-looking” compared to La Liga’s sustainable system
• ALK Capital owns both Espanyol and Burnley, with Monchi joining as sporting director for both clubs
• Spiby promises to act as “custodians” preserving the history of both famous football institutions
• Espanyol plan to use CVC investment funds to improve fan experience at the RCDE Stadium

Brad Spiby, the chief operating officer at RCD Espanyol, has strongly defended his company’s multi-club ownership structure. He insists that ALK Capital possesses enough resources to manage both Espanyol and Burnley FC effectively.

ALK Capital, led by chairman Alan Pace, holds majority stakes in both clubs. They purchased Espanyol last July and have controlled Burnley since 2020. Speaking at a recent La Liga promotional event, Spiby addressed growing concerns about multi-club ownership models across European football.

Spiby described his group as “custodians” of two historic institutions. He noted that Espanyol stands as one of Spanish football’s most famous clubs, while Burnley represents a founding member of the English Football League. “We carry this responsibility heavily on our shoulders,” he stated. “Our duty is to preserve what we found here and use that history as our strength moving forward.”

The executive dismissed fears that owning two clubs creates neglect. He explained that both teams operate as separate businesses with sufficient funding. “We would never have taken control of Espanyol without the resources to support both clubs properly,” Spiby added. “Alan Pace serves as president of both teams and actively works in both Barcelona and Burnley.”

Spiby contrasted the financial regulations between England and Spain. He labelled the Premier League’s system as “backward-looking” when compared to La Liga’s salary limits. Spanish clubs can only spend 70 percent of their income on player wages and transfer fees. Spiby praised these strict controls, calling them the only “forward-looking” regulations in European football.

“The La Liga model creates a sustainable future for football,” he explained. “It reduces uncertainty for owners and lowers investment risks. The Premier League follows the same old financial patterns seen across most of Europe.”

Regarding infrastructure, Spiby revealed that Espanyol still holds CVC investment funds received in 2021. Unlike other clubs that used the money immediately, Espanyol plans to spend these reserves on future projects. They aim to enhance the matchday experience at the RCDE Stadium and develop their sports facilities across Barcelona.

The club recently appointed legendary sporting director Monchi to oversee recruitment. He will work with both Espanyol and Burnley, strengthening the connection between the two clubs. Espanyol secured their La Liga survival last weekend after a difficult season that saw them battle relegation.

Spiby acknowledged the challenge of competing for fans against FC Barcelona in the same city. However, he stressed that serving existing supporters remains their top priority. “Our fans have stayed with us through good times and bad. We must give them the best experience possible,” he concluded.

• Levante UD win twice in one week to move close to safety from relegation
• Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez gives angry one-hour press conference after El Clásico defeat
• RCD Espanyol end 18-match winless streak with late goal against Athletic Club
• Kylian Mbappé and Álvaro Arbeloa involved in public argument at Real Madrid
• Manager Manolo Gonzalez cries with relief after Espanyol victory

Spanish football delivered a dramatic week filled with different emotions across La Liga. From relegation battles to club crises and happy celebrations, the league showed why fans love it.

Levante’s Great Escape

Levante UD continue to fight hard to stay in the top division. The team from Valencia produced another amazing comeback last weekend. They beat Celta Vigo 3-2 away from home even though they trailed twice. Ferran Jutglà scored two goals for Celta, but Levante did not give up.

Manager Luis Castro has changed the team since he arrived. Their recent results put them among the best five teams in the league during this time. Adrián de la Fuente scored a fantastic long-distance goal, and Roger Brugué got the third goal to win the match. This was their fifth victory in eight games.

Levante are now level on points with the safe zone, with only goal difference keeping them in the bottom three. They play RCD Mallorca this Sunday at their home stadium. Castro has done an amazing job taking a struggling team close to safety.

Problems at Real Madrid

Real Madrid have serious problems after losing 2-0 to Barcelona in El Clásico. The defeat means Barcelona will probably win the league title. However, the difficulties go beyond the match result.

President Florentino Pérez spoke to reporters for one hour this week. This was unusual because he normally stays quiet. He spoke with great anger about the club’s problems. Staff tried to stop the press conference three times, but Pérez continued speaking.

Players are also arguing with each other. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde had a physical fight. Then Kylian Mbappé publicly criticised reserve team boss Álvaro Arbeloa. Mbappé usually appears calm and intelligent, but his recent behaviour shows a different side.

The club now looks divided. What started as bad results has become a big problem for the whole organisation. Fans are asking how things can get worse.

Espanyol End Their Bad Run

RCD Espanyol finally won a match after 18 games without victory. Kike García scored in added time to beat Athletic Club 2-1. The players celebrated like they had won a trophy.

The game seemed like it would end in another disappointment. Athletic hit the goalpost twice, and goalkeeper Marko Dmitrović made brilliant saves. Pere Milla had put Espanyol ahead earlier, but the fans worried that Athletic would equalise.

When García scored past Unai Simón in the final moments, the stadium erupted with joy. Manager Manolo Gonzalez cried on the touchline because he felt so relieved.

Gonzalez said the past months were “hellish” and he could not sleep properly. The win puts Espanyol three points above the relegation zone. They travel to Pamplona this weekend feeling much better than before.

• Sevilla recover from 2-0 deficit to secure 3-2 victory away at Villarreal
• Nigerian striker Akor Adams scores decisive goal for second match running
• Espanyol claim first win of 2026 after beating Athletic Club 2-0
• Barcelona lose to Alaves, ending their pursuit of 100 league points
• Villarreal’s top-three position under threat with Atletico Madrid closing gap

Wednesday evening delivered thrilling action across Spain’s top flight as Matchday 36 produced crucial results at both ends of the La Liga table.

Sevilla produced a stunning fightback to claim three vital points at Villarreal. The visitors found themselves two goals adrift inside the opening twenty minutes when Gerard Moreno and Georges Mikautadze found the net for the hosts. However, the Andalusian side refused to collapse.

Oso and Kike Salas both scored before half-time to restore parity. The decisive moment arrived in the 72nd minute when Akor Adams struck the winner. The Nigerian forward repeated his heroics from the previous weekend, when he also netted the only goal against Espanyol.

The triumph propels Luis García Plaza’s outfit to tenth place, creating significant breathing space above the relegation zone. Conversely, Villarreal remain third but now lead fifth-placed Atletico Madrid by merely three points.

Meanwhile, Espanyol finally celebrated success in 2026 after nineteen attempts. They overcame Athletic Club 2-0 at home. Substitute Pere Milla broke the deadlock in the 69th minute, while Kike García confirmed the victory during added time.

This outcome lifts Espanyol to 14th position, though they remain just three points ahead of the bottom three. Athletic Club’s European ambitions suffered a blow as they fell four points behind Getafe, who occupy the final continental qualification spot.

Elsewhere, Alavés climbed out of the relegation places thanks to a shock defeat of Barcelona. This loss extinguished the Catalan club’s hopes of achieving a century of points this campaign.

• Monchi joins Espanyol with immediate effect despite relegation threat
• He replaces Fran Garagarza, who stepped down after a heart attack earlier this season
• The club sits just two points above the relegation zone with three matches left
• He will report directly to owner Alan Pace and CEO Mao Ye
• The renowned recruiter returns to La Liga following difficult spells at Sevilla and Aston Villa

RCD Espanyol have confirmed the appointment of Ramón Rodríguez Verdejo, popularly known as Monchi, as their new General Sporting Director. The experienced football executive begins work immediately even though the club faces a tense fight to stay in La Liga.

The Catalan club announced the news on Sunday, stating that Monchi signed a contract that starts straight away. This decision comes with only three matches remaining in the current season. Espanyol currently sit just two points clear of the relegation zone.

Monchi takes over from Fran Garagarza, who left his post earlier this term following a heart attack. It is not yet clear whether Garagarza will return to the club in a different role or remain on extended leave. If he does come back, he will work under Monchi’s supervision.

The new General Sporting Director will answer directly to club owner Alan Pace and chief executive Mao Ye. This arrangement gives Monchi significant control over football operations at the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat.

The 56-year-old expressed his enthusiasm about the move on social media. He thanked President Alan Pace for making the transfer possible. Monchi said that he feels welcome at the club and is ready to give his full commitment to meet the team’s targets.

Monchi built his reputation during a successful first spell at Sevilla, where he helped the club win multiple Europa League titles. However, his recent career has faced setbacks. His second stint at Sevilla ended with the club struggling near the bottom of the table. He also had a brief and disappointing period at Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Espanyol hope that Monchi’s expertise in player recruitment will help secure their top-flight status and strengthen the squad for future campaigns.

• Monchi will become Espanyol sporting director if the club stays in La Liga
• The former Sevilla chief watched the defeat to Real Madrid at RCDE Stadium last weekend
• Owner Alan Pace invited him to discuss the role ahead of next season
• Current director Fran Garagarza remains on leave following a heart attack earlier this year
• Sergio Ramos could block the move if his bid to buy Sevilla succeeds

Renowned football director Monchi is preparing for a dramatic return to Spanish football. The legendary former Sevilla sporting director has agreed to take charge at Espanyol next season. However, this deal depends on one crucial condition. The Catalan club must avoid relegation from La Liga.

Monchi visited the RCDE Stadium last Sunday. He watched Espanyol lose 2-0 to Real Madrid. Club owner Alan Pace invited him to the match. Pace hopes to convince Monchi to lead their project. Spanish newspaper Marca reports that the agreement is already in place. But Espanyol must secure their top-flight status first.

The situation creates uncertainty for current sporting director Fran Garagarza. He has taken leave from his duties. This followed a heart attack earlier this season. Garagarza still has one year remaining on his contract. He has not received any news about his future with the club.

If Monchi joins, he will receive significant funds to strengthen the squad. His first task involves selecting the right manager. Espanyol have failed to win any of their last 17 matches. Manolo Gonzalez currently manages the team. Monchi plans to speak with Gonzalez before considering other candidates.

One possible replacement is Jose Bordalas. The Getafe manager will leave his club this summer. Monchi respects Bordalas for achieving results with small budgets. He believes the coach could improve Espanyol with better resources. Monchi and his assistant Fernando Navarro are monitoring this option.

However, another opportunity might tempt Monchi away. Sergio Ramos is negotiating to buy Sevilla. The former Real Madrid captain wants to own his boyhood club. Monchi recently stated he would listen if Ramos calls him. He told El Chiringuito, “If they call me, I have to listen.”

Both potential deals face similar conditions. Ramos will only purchase Sevilla if they remain in La Liga. The club currently fights to avoid the drop. If Sevilla go down, the consortium may withdraw their offer. This would end Ramos’s hopes of bringing Monchi back to the club.

• Vinícius Júnior scores both goals in second half to secure 2-0 win at RCDE Stadium
• Victory delays FC Barcelona’s La Liga title party until at least next weekend
• Brazilian reaches career-best total of 15 league goals for the current season
• Player expresses strong confidence ahead of upcoming El Clásico clash
• Contract negotiations remain ongoing with less than 14 months left on current deal

Real Madrid earned a crucial 2-0 victory against Espanyol on Sunday, ensuring that Barcelona must wait longer to lift the La Liga trophy. The match took place at the RCDE Stadium in Catalonia, where the visitors claimed all three points thanks to an outstanding display from their star forward.

Vinícius Júnior found the net twice after half-time to decide the contest. These strikes brought his total to 15 goals in the Spanish top flight this term, marking the best scoring record of his career in a single league campaign.

Speaking to the club’s television channel after the final whistle, the Brazilian expressed the squad’s self-belief. “We trained very well this week and we knew we were going to win,” he said. “It has not been a good season for us, but we are working hard. We want to finish strongly to build momentum for next year when we will challenge at the top again.”

The winger also looked ahead to the next fixture against their biggest rivals. He promised that the team would prepare thoroughly during the week to produce a strong performance against Barcelona.

Despite his match-winning heroics, questions remain about Vinícius Júnior’s long-term future at the Bernabéu. His present contract ends in under 14 months, and although discussions have taken place regularly over the past year, the two parties have not yet reached an agreement on an extension.

Nevertheless, recent displays demonstrate why Real Madrid should prioritise keeping him. Even when the team performs below its best, the 25-year-old possesses the ability to win games on his own. This match-changing quality makes him one of the most valuable members of the squad.

• Vinícius Júnior scored a brilliant individual goal to put Real Madrid 1-0 up against Espanyol.
• The victory is essential for Real Madrid to prevent FC Barcelona from winning the La Liga title tonight.
• The Brazilian combined with substitute Gonzalo García before beating two defenders and the goalkeeper.

Real Madrid remain in the fight for the La Liga crown after Vinícius Júnior broke the deadlock against Espanyol on Saturday evening. The clash took place at the RCDE Stadium in Catalonia.

Álvaro Arbeloa’s side needed three points to stop FC Barcelona from claiming the championship mathematically. They found the breakthrough ten minutes after half-time thanks to their Brazilian star.

The winger started the move after receiving the ball from Federico Valverde. He then played a one-two with Gonzalo García, who had come off the bench. Vinícius cut past two defenders before his shot hit the inside of the post and went past Marko Dmitrović.

The visitors had found it hard to break down the home defence in the first half. García had been tipped to start the match, but he still made a big impact as a replacement.

The goal keeps Real Madrid’s slim hopes alive as they chase their rivals at the top of the table.

• Espanyol could secure the La Liga title for rivals Barcelona if they avoid defeat against Real Madrid.
• Real Madrid face a severe injury crisis with seven key players including Dani Carvajal and Kylian Mbappé ruled out.
• Young striker Gonzalo Garcia is tipped to make a rare start for the visitors amid the selection shortage.

Espanyol welcome Real Madrid to the RCDE Stadium on Sunday evening for an important La Liga match. The game starts at 21:00 local time. The home team are only five points above the relegation zone. They need points to stay in the top division. But if Espanyol get a good result, Barcelona will win the league title.

Real Madrid are fourteen points behind the leaders. The team has won only one of their last seven games. They also have many injured players. Dani Carvajal is the latest player to get hurt. He joins Thibaut Courtois, Kylian Mbappé, Arda Güler, Éder Militão and Rodrygo Goes on the injury list. Manager Álvaro Arbeloa does not have many players to choose from.

Mundo Deportivo says young striker Gonzalo García will start the match. This is a rare chance for him to play from the beginning. Aurélien Tchouaméni will return to midfield instead of Thiago Pitarch. Alvaro Carreras will play at left-back. But Diario AS thinks Pitarch might keep his place in the team. They also say Eduardo Camavinga could play.

Espanyol also have missing players. Cyril Ngonge and Javi Puado are injured. Pol Lozano cannot play because he is suspended. Coach Manolo González must choose between Kike García and Roberto Fernández to play as the main striker. Tyrhys Dolan will probably replace Ngonge. Urko González and Edu Expósito will play in the centre of midfield.

Espanyol have not won any of their sixteen games in 2026. They want to end this bad run against a Real Madrid side looking for only their second win since March.