Second manager sacked in four days as Burnley owners oversee Espanyol exit.

Burnley owners ALK Capital are searching for two new managers after Alan Pace oversaw another managerial dismissal within the space of four days.

The latest departure came at Espanyol, where head coach Manolo Gonzalez was dismissed following a disastrous Copa del Rey defeat to fourth-tier Sestao. The decision came only days after Burnley parted company with Nicky Hayen, leaving Pace and ALK Capital with two vacancies to fill.

Hayen’s dismissal was confirmed on Saturday evening after Burnley suffered a heavy 4-1 loss against Lincoln City. The defeat left the Clarets sitting inside the Championship relegation places, with just one victory from their opening 12 league matches.

The Belgian had only been appointed in July and therefore lasted just 106 days in charge. His short spell ended after a difficult beginning to the campaign, with Burnley struggling to collect the results needed to move away from danger.

However, the ownership group has another managerial position to resolve.

Espanyol confirmed Gonzalez’s departure after their Copa del Rey campaign came to an embarrassing end against Sestao. The fourth-tier outfit produced a remarkable result by beating Espanyol 4-0 after extra time, piling further pressure on a manager already dealing with disappointing league form.

Espanyol have also endured a difficult start to their La Liga campaign. They were sitting in the relegation zone after winning only two of their first 10 league matches, leaving the club’s hierarchy with little choice but to make a change.

The contrast between the two announcements was striking. Burnley’s statement confirming Hayen’s exit was brief, containing only 26 words. Espanyol, meanwhile, issued a much longer 331-word tribute to Gonzalez, reflecting the length and significance of his time with the club.

Gonzalez had been in charge of Espanyol for more than three seasons and managed 107 competitive matches with the first team. During that period, he established himself as an important figure at the Catalan club and helped guide them through some significant challenges.

The club highlighted his contribution both on the pitch and in his daily work around the team. They credited him with developing professionally and personally while working his way through the football pyramid before eventually reaching the Spanish top flight.

His time in charge included two complete seasons in La Liga, during which he achieved the sporting targets set by the club. Most importantly, Espanyol remained among Spain’s elite during those campaigns, with Gonzalez helping them retain their top-flight status.

The club also praised his determination, work ethic and willingness to sacrifice in pursuit of his coaching ambitions. Gonzalez’s career had been built gradually, progressing through different levels of the game before he reached the highest division.

Another significant milestone came on September 7, when Gonzalez took charge of his 100th official match for Espanyol in a fixture against Sevilla. That achievement placed him ninth on the club’s all-time list for matches managed by a first-team coach.

He also became the first Espanyol manager to reach 100 games since Mauricio Pochettino achieved the feat, adding importance to his tenure.

Despite the appreciation expressed in the lengthy statement, the club ultimately decided that the poor results had made a managerial change necessary.

The timing means Pace and ALK Capital now face the unusual task of identifying replacements for two managers almost simultaneously. Burnley need a new head coach capable of lifting them away from the Championship’s relegation battle, while Espanyol must find someone capable of stabilising a team struggling near the bottom of La Liga.

For Burnley supporters, Hayen’s dismissal will raise further questions about the direction of the club. His appointment in July was supposed to provide stability, but fewer than four months later the Clarets are already searching for another manager.

The defeat to Lincoln proved to be the final trigger, with Burnley’s poor league record leaving little room for patience. Their single victory from 12 matches underlined the scale of the problem facing the club.

At Espanyol, Gonzalez leaves behind a more substantial legacy despite the disappointing final months. He had reached a major milestone, achieved promotion-related objectives and kept the club in the top division during his previous full campaigns.

However, football management is ultimately judged heavily on current results, and the Copa del Rey humiliation against Sestao, combined with only two league victories from 10 matches, proved too much.

ALK Capital must now move quickly. Two managerial searches within four days represent a major challenge for the ownership group, particularly with both clubs facing pressure at opposite ends of Spain and England’s football pyramids.

The next appointments will therefore be closely watched. Burnley need a turnaround in the Championship, while Espanyol require a coach capable of restoring confidence and improving their league position.

For now, Pace is left with two vacancies and two clubs demanding answers after a remarkable sequence of managerial changes.