Quique Sánchez Flores signs on as Espanyol manager
The former Atlético, Getafe, Valencia and Watford boss makes a return to pit his wits against the best in La Liga, signing a three-year deal with the Parakeets.
Quique Sánchez Flores has been officially confirmed as the new manager of Espanyol, the club have confirmed. Sánchez Flores, who left Premier League club Watford at the end of last season, has been tasked by Espanyol owner Chen Yansheng with taking the Parakeets into Europe.
Sánchez Flores has signed a three-year contract at the Power8 Stadium and will earn in the region of 2.8 million euros a year and is expected to bring his back room staff of Alberto Giráldez, Antonio Díaz and José Luis Gallardo with him.
Talks between Espanyol and Sánchez Flores began two weeks ago. The former Valencia, Atlético, Getafe and Benfica manager had three interviews, including one with Chen. Espanyol had previously approached Rayo manager Paco Jémez but turned their attention to Sánchez Flores when it became clear that he was interested in joining the club.
Sánchez Flores had also been sounded out by Sevilla as a potential replacement for the in-demand Unai Emery in the case that he is lured away from the Sánchez Pizjuán amid interest from Inter and AC Milan, among others. Espanyol said on appointing Sánchez Flores, Espanyol released a statement expressing the club’s satisfaction at “bringing in a successful and prestigious manager to lead the first team in this new project.”