In handing over Espanyol to waiting Coach Javier Aguirre, interim boss Raul Longhi has filled him in on the current situation.
Bottom of the table after a poor start to the season, Los Pericos replaced the departed Mauricio Pochettino with Mexican Aguirre this week.
However, the appointment was not made in time for the 53-year-old to oversee the midweek Cup match with Sevilla, so that fell to B team Coach Longhi.
Espanyol fell to a 3-0 home defeat to confirm a Round of 32 exit on a 6-1 aggregate score-line, but their temporary Coach urged post match that no further pressure be placed on the players.
“This team needs love, because the situation is delicate,” commented Longhi after the midweek defeat.
“Against Sevilla, the penalty and red card [in the first half] has conditioned the game, and everything from there has been very difficult.
“We must support the team, trust them and keep working. There is a great pressure [for Aguirre], but now begins a new cycle with an entirely new workforce.”
Aguirre will be presented to the Press on Thursday afternoon before then holding his first training session with the players in the evening.
