"The sporting director, in agreement with the ownership, informed the coach this morning of the decision after carrying out an overall assessment of the inconsistent start to the season in Primera Federación, in which the desired results have not been achieved," Sant Andreu explained after progressing to the next round of the Copa del Rey this past Tuesday by beating Segunda Federación side Manresa on penalties.
The decision comes after Sant Andreu collected nine points from nine league matches, with a record of two wins, three draws and four defeats. Those results leave the team in 15th place, just one point above the relegation places. As a result, Natxo González will not be able to reunite with a Real Zaragoza side that came close to promotion to La Liga in the 2017/2018 season.
The Basque coach managed Real Zaragoza in the 2017-2018 season. Archive photo.
After enduring an adaptation period during the first part of the competition, the Aragonese side, with the Basque coach in charge, raised their level in the second half to finish third in the league. Despite that, their promotion dream ended with a defeat to Numancia in the playoff semifinals, and Natxo González, despite having one year remaining on his contract, packed his bags and headed for Deportivo de La Coruña.
HIS TWO SPELLS AT SANT ANDREU
Before joining Real Zaragoza, Natxo González enjoyed a successful first spell at Narcís Sala from 2007 to 2011, securing promotion to Segunda División B, winning the first Copa Catalunya in Sant Andreu’s history in 2009 and coming close to promotion to Segunda División in 2010.
Fourteen years later, he returned to Sant Andreu in the summer of 2025 with the aim of taking the club to Primera Federación. After an initial adaptation period with a revamped squad, he won the Segunda Federación title and the long-awaited promotion on April 19. An unfortunate health problem prevented him from celebrating on the pitch, but two weeks later he received the recognition of everyone at Narcís Sala.
"Natxo González, who became emotionally involved with Sant Andreu from the very first day, has been one of the most important coaches in the history of UE Sant Andreu and leaves an indelible mark on the memory of the entire four-barred fanbase," the Catalan club stated, closing its announcement by thanking the Basque coach for his work: "Thank you very much for everything, Natxo. Narcís Sala will always be your home."
