From bus driver to top coach: all aboard for Manolo González's Espanyol adventure

Manolo González, the unassuming coach of top-flight Espanyol, has come a long way from driving buses to become one of Spain's most respected coaches. Born in tiny Folgoso do Courel, Galicia, González's family took him to Barcelona aged three, where he developed a passion for football that would define his life.

Growing up, González was never quite good enough as a player - he was too hot-headed and struggled with self-control. But as a coach, he has found success by leveraging his experiences on the sidelines to inspire his players. For 30 years, González has coached at every level of Spanish football, from regional leagues to the top flight, accumulating a wealth of knowledge and expertise along the way.

When Espanyol offered him the job just over a year ago, many people doubted that someone from the lower divisions could succeed in La Liga. But González was undeterred, knowing that he had a unique set of skills and experiences to bring to the table. He has since led his team to fifth place, demonstrating an uncanny ability to adapt to the highest level.

González's path to the top was far from straightforward. Born into a humble family, he struggled financially throughout his life before finally finding success as a coach. Despite facing countless challenges along the way, González persevered, crediting his experiences on the sidelines for shaping him into the coach he is today.

As Espanyol's new head coach, González has faced scrutiny from fans and pundits alike. But despite the pressure, he remains committed to his team and his playing style, which blends an earthy realism with a winning mentality. When asked about the temptation of big money, González laughs, saying that players like Mohamed Salah are "zeros" compared to what he's earned.

Ultimately, González believes that success in football is not just about winning but also about enjoying the journey and cultivating a sense of community around the team. As he watches his team train on the grass, he can't help but feel a sense of pride knowing that this is where he belongs - among the players, coaches, and staff who share his passion for the beautiful game.

I'm low-key skeptical about Manolo González's success at Espanyol... like, what if it all falls apart now? He's had some tough breaks in life and still managed to make it this far. I mean, can't happen to everyone, right? And those regional league days were just a stepping stone for him to get ahead. It's not like he stumbled into coaching or something... but at the same time, 30 years of experience is impressive, I guess. He must've learned something from all his failures. The thing that gets me is how he laughs about big money like it's no big deal. Is he for real? What if all this "satisfaction" thing he's talking about just means he's got a lot to prove now that everyone's watching?

i'm lovin' the rags-to-riches story of manolo gonzález ! from drivin' buses to leadin' espanyol in la liga, this guy's come a long way! it's so inspiring to see someone who's faced so many challenges and struggles throughout their life find success and happiness doin' somethin' they love . and let's be real, 30 years of coachin' experience at every level is no joke - he's gotta have some serious street smarts and know-how under his belt! i think what's most admirable about gonzález is how humble he stays despite all the attention and pressure. he's still got that down-to-earth, community-focused vibe goin' on

He's so inspiring! I mean, who becomes a top coach in La Liga after driving buses? His rags-to-riches story is everything! And can we talk about how he's crushing it as Espanyol's head coach? Fifth place in just one year is insane! He's proof that hard work and determination can take you to the top. Plus, his humility and commitment to his team are so refreshing. I love how he stays true to himself and doesn't let all the pressure get to him. And LOL at him calling players like Salah "zeros" . He's definitely a coach to watch and learn from!

I'm loving Manolo González's story ! The dude's been through so much to get to where he is today. I mean, can you imagine driving buses for a living just to become a top-flight coach? It's crazy how life takes us on these unexpected journeys.

González's humility and dedication to his craft are truly inspiring . He's proof that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible. And I love how he's not afraid to poke fun at the big-money players - like, Mohamed Salah being a "zero" compared to what González has earned? That's the kind of refreshing honesty we need more of in sports.

But what really gets me is his focus on community and enjoying the journey . In an era where football coaches are often under so much pressure, it's great to see someone who prioritizes the team's well-being over just winning. I think that's why he's resonating so much with fans - he's not just a coach, he's a part of the family .

Overall, Manolo González is an amazing example of what can be achieved with passion, hard work, and a little bit of humor . Let's give this guy all the props he deserves!

OMG u wont believe this guy's story ! He started out driving buses lol but ended up coaching top-flight Espanyol! Like, from regional leagues to La Liga in just a year is crazy ! And its not like he had it easy either, came from super humble beginnings and struggled financially throughout life . But he never gave up, kept pushing and now hes one of the most respected coaches in Spain . I love how he talks about enjoying the journey too, not just winning . It shows he really cares about his players & community, that's what makes him special

I'm loving how González's humble beginnings have given him a unique perspective on the game . I think what sets him apart from other coaches is his ability to connect with his players on an emotional level - he knows what it's like to struggle and persevere, and that authenticity shines through in his coaching style. Plus, his no-nonsense approach has got Espanyol playing some of their best football in years . I'm curious to see how he'll adapt to the changing landscape of La Liga - will he continue to take risks or play it safe? And what's next for him - does he have his sights set on bigger things, like a European title?

man.. i'm lovin' this guy's vibe he's like proof that you don't have to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth to make it big. i mean, think about it... he was driving buses and then became one of spain's top coaches? that's just incredible and his approach to the game is so refreshing - all about enjoying the journey and buildin' a sense of community around the team. that's somethin' we could all learn from

I'm loving the comeback story of Manolo González ! It's so inspiring to see how far he's come from driving buses to becoming one of Spain's top coaches . His humility and determination are truly admirable - who wouldn't want to win over all that doubting fans and pundits? I mean, the guy has got game face on and his passion for football is infectious ! What's amazing is how he's been able to adapt his coaching style to La Liga without losing himself or his values. The way he talks about community and enjoying the journey - it's all so genuine and inspiring . Can't wait to see what the future holds for Espanyol under his leadership !

I don’t usually comment but I think it’s so cool how Manolo González went from driving buses to coaching in La Liga He's proof that with hard work and determination, you can achieve your dreams, even if they seem far out of reach at first. And what impresses me most is that he's not just about winning – he wants his team to enjoy the journey too. That's a great attitude to have in sports I mean, who wouldn't want to be part of a team with a coach like González? He's clearly passionate about football and that passion is infectious

I gotta say, I'm not surprised González did so well, given all those years of experience he has under his belt . Like, 30 years coaching in every level of Spanish football? That's a ton of knowledge right there! And yeah, it's cool how he leveraged his struggles as a player to become a better coach... who wouldn't want to work with someone who knows what it's like to be hot-headed on the field .

What I do find interesting is that people doubted him when Espanyol offered him the job. Like, come on, 30 years of experience? That's not something you can just write off . But hey, being a coach isn't all about playing the game, it's about knowing how to motivate your team and make the right calls under pressure.

And let's be real, González's humble beginnings are pretty inspiring . I mean, who wouldn't want to overcome financial struggles and persevere to achieve success? It just goes to show that with hard work and determination, you can accomplish anything... even if it takes a while .

Anyway, I think Espanyol made a great choice in hiring González, and I'm curious to see how he does next season ️.

I'm loving how underdog stories like Manolo González's are making waves in football right now . I mean, can you imagine being a bus driver turned top-flight coach? It's like something out of a movie! But seriously, it just goes to show that with determination and a bit of passion, you can overcome so much and achieve your dreams.

I'm also loving his no-nonsense approach to the game - using his own experiences on the sidelines as a player to inspire his players is genius . And I think what's really admirable about him is how he stays humble despite all the pressure and scrutiny. Like, who wouldn't be tempted by big money when they're in his position? But he just laughs it off like that and says players like Salah are "zeros" compared to what he's earned. That's a great attitude to have.

What I find really interesting is how he believes success isn't just about winning but also about the journey and building a sense of community around the team . It's so true - football should be about more than just the game itself, it's about the people involved and creating something special together.

Dude I was just thinking about that new food truck park near my place and how they have some insane burgers ... anyway back to González, man he's an inspiration, you know? like he went from driving buses to coaching top-flight teams, that's wild . I wonder if he's got any secret ingredients in his winning sauce , just kidding! But for real, it's all about the love of the game and creating a sense of community with your team, you feel me?

so i think what makes manolo gonzalez so special is not just his success as a coach, but how he's able to connect with his players and create a positive team culture. like, he's been through some tough times himself, you feel? struggling financially, never being good enough as a player... but instead of giving up, he used those experiences to fuel his passion for coaching.

and i love how he says that success isn't just about winning, but about enjoying the journey and building a sense of community around the team. that's so true! sports should be fun, not just about individual glory or money.

I'm lovin' the underdog story of Manolo González, you know? He's proof that with hard work and dedication, anyone can make it to the top from humble beginnings . I mean, who wouldn't want a coach who's been around the blocks a few times and knows what really matters in football? Not just about winnin' all the time, but about buildin' a team that's got heart and soul . And let's be real, his humility is refreshin' . No egos or fancy footwork here, just a down-to-earth coach who knows how to get results without losin' sight of what's important. I'm all for give-in' him the respect he deserves as one of Spain's most respected coaches !

He's like a diagram with multiple branches . You got your football journey, then you gotta overcome obstacles, and then you rise up to be one of the best coaches in Spain . His path wasn't linear, but that's what makes him relatable - he's not some fancy-pants coach who came from nothing . He went through struggles and still managed to come out on top.

I think his approach is key . It's about having a strong team culture, being adaptable, and enjoying the journey . And it's awesome that he doesn't care about the big money - he'd rather have players who share his values and passion for the game . That's what makes him a beloved coach among fans and players alike .

Here's a simple mind map to summarize his success:

Coach → Struggles → Perseverance → Team Culture → Adaptability

I'm not convinced by Manolo González's rags-to-riches story . He says he was "too hot-headed" as a player, but I'd love to see some evidence of this . How can we trust that his coaching methods are effective when we don't know what worked for him in the lower divisions? And what about all those players who have achieved success without having to take the hard route like González did? Is he really saying that Mohamed Salah is a "zero" compared to him? That just seems like bragging.

Manolo González's story is literally the definition of hope 2 me! Growing up, nobody thought he'd make it big in football, but he didn't let that stop him. He worked his way up from driving buses to become one of Spain's top coaches - talk about a rags 2 riches story! The thing is, it's not just about the destination, it's about the journey too. González's humility and passion for the game are infectious, and that's what makes him so successful. He's got this winning mentality, but he's also got this heart of gold . I mean, who wouldn't want 2 play 4 a team with a coach like Manolo? The fact that he's not just about the money is what makes him stand out - he genuinely cares about the players & wants 2 build a community around the team. That's the kind of leadership we need more of in football!

OMG u no wot about Manolo González?? he's like the ultimate rags 2 riches story! from drivin buses to coachin top flight Espanyol is straight fire i mean dont get me wrong, its not all sunshine and rainbows. hes had to face a lot of doubters & haters but the guy just keeps on truckin & proves ppl r wrong by leadin his team 2 5th place. im def lovin his underdog mentality & how he stays true 2 himself. hes all about enjoyin the journey & buildin that community, not just winnin at all costs. its like he's sayin "lol ur money cant buy me, i got my own success story" anywayz gotta respect this dude, shes doin it big!

Coach González's story is truly inspiring . It's amazing how far he's come from driving buses to coaching top-flight Espanyol ️. His experience on the sidelines has really paid off, and it's awesome that he's not afraid to take risks and challenge conventional thinking . I love how he blends an earthy realism with a winning mentality – it's like he's saying, 'let's just have fun and enjoy the ride' . The fact that he's earned more than some of his players is pretty humbling . What I find really cool about González is that he's not just focused on winning; he wants to create a sense of community around the team, where everyone feels like they belong . That's the kind of coach we need more of – leaders who care about people, not just trophies .