Quique Flores find life after Watford at Espanyol

Matt Stead

Quique Sanchez Flores has been named as the new coach of Espanyol.

The former Atletico Madrid and Valencia boss, who spent last season in charge of Premier League side Watford, takes over the Espanyol reins from Constantin Galca.

An Espanyol statement read: “Quique Sanchez Flores will be the Espanyol coach for the next three season after an agreement between the coach and the club was reached in the last few hours.”

Flores will be officially presented next Monday at midday local time.

Flores took charge of Watford last summer, replacing Slavisa Jokanovic, and led the Hornets to mid-table security in their first season back in the Premier League and an FA Cup semi-final.

Despite that, Watford announced in May that the Spaniard would be leaving his position at the end of the season and Walter Mazzarri has been appointed as his successor.

Prior to his stint at Vicarage Road, the 51-year-old Flores also coached the likes of Getafe, Benfica and Al-Ain while as a player he represented Valencia, Real Madrid, Real Zaragoza and Spain.

The Espanyol statement added: “The same as Angel Gomez, new sporting director of the club, Quique Sanchez Flores will sign for three years (2019), consolidating the beginning of Espanyol’s sports project in this new and exciting stage for all our fans. In the next few days the club will confirm Flores’ staff.

“Espanyol is proud to incorporate a successful and prestigious coach and to lead the first team in this new project.”

Former Romania international Calca was appointed Espanyol coach in December on a short-term contract and guided the club to a 12th-placed finish last term.