This archive report was first published on 27 December 2019.
La Liga strugglers Espanyol have appointed their third coach of the season in a desperate bid to salvage their campaign. The move comes after a dismal run of form that has seen the club accumulate just 10 points from 18 games.
Abelardo Fernandez, a former Spain international and Barcelona defender, has taken the reins at La Liga's bottom club. The 49-year-old coach replaces Pablo Machin, who was sacked on Monday following a 2-0 defeat to second-bottom Leganes.
It's the third coaching change at Espanyol this season, with Machin taking over in October after David Gallego was sacked after just eight games. Gallego's tenure was marked by a single win in early October.
Fernandez joins Espanyol from Liga outfit Alaves, where he finished 14th at the end of last season.
