WATFORD FC is delighted to announce the appointment of Europa League winner Enrique Sánchez Flores as the club’s new Head Coach.
The Spaniard, who boasts a wealth of top-flight experience in his home country and Portugal, has signed a two-year contract to lead the Hornets upon their return to the Premier League.
He will be assisted by Alberto Giraldez and Antonio Diaz Carlavilla, alongside Dean Austin who will remain within the Vicarage Road coaching structure.
Flores guided Atletico Madrid to Europa League glory during his first season at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, defeating Roy Hodgson’s Fulham in the 2010 final, just a week prior to the club’s first Copa del Rey final appearance in a decade.
Later that summer, Flores’ Atletico lifted the prestigious UEFA Super Cup thanks to a 2-0 victory over UEFA Champions League winners Inter Milan.
After a spell in charge of Real Madrid’s youth teams, Flores took his first coaching role with Getafe in 2004, before progressing to former club Valencia, where he achieved a third-place La Liga finish and Champions League qualification in his first year at the helm.
The 50-year-old took ‘Los Che’ to the quarter-final stage of the Champions League, where they were narrowly beaten over two legs by Chelsea, after overcoming the likes of Roma and Inter during previous rounds.
Valencia once again qualified for the Champions League after a fourth-place La Liga finish under Flores’ stewardship in 2007, while two years later he coached Benfica to Portugal’s Taca da Liga trophy following victory against Sporting CP in the final.
Prior to his most recent position – a second spell at La Liga outfit Getafe earlier in 2015 – Flores had stints in the United Arab Emirates with Al Ain and Al Ahli Dubai.
A 15-cap Spain international as a player, defender Flores represented Valencia, Real Madrid and Real Zaragoza during a successful playing career which ended in 1997.