Former Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores is now on the list of potential names to take over Newcastle United this summer.
The Tyneside outfit recently decided to part ways with Spanish coach Rafa Benitez, and quite a few managers’ names have been thrown around for the vacant job.
As per the Telegraph, Sanchez Flores has joined the likes of Laurent Blanc, Sean Dyche and Mikel Arteta in the race for the Newcastle United job.
Quique Sanchez Flores And His Record
Having started his coaching career with the Real Madrid youth side, Sanchez Flores first became a manager in La Liga in 2004, when he joined Getafe, spending just one year at the club.
He took over the likes of Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Benfica before moving to England for the first time with Watford in 2015. His biggest moment came with Atletico Madrid, with whom he lifted the Europa League in 2010.
The Spaniard lasted an entire season at Vicarage Road, taking the club to a 13th place finish in the league table, and leading them to the FA Cup semi-final that season.
However, the Spaniard was soon sent packing, as he moved to Espanyol in 2016 and spent two years there before moving to China.
The 54-year old spend just six months in Asia, registering a win percentage of just 29.41%, the least in his managerial career. He resigned as the manager of Shanghai Shenhua earlier this week and is now an option for Newcastle.
Right Man For Newcastle United?
While they stand as one of the most prestigious clubs in the country, the Magpies are currently struggling with several issues.
From an owner only willing to provide a limited transfer budget to a squad that is hardly balanced and is losing players, the Tyneside outfit are in real trouble of falling down the Premier League ladder quickly.
There are very few names in the European market at the moment that can walk into the mess at St James’ and get them back on track.
The likes of Blanc and Arteta are hardly experienced in situations like these, while Sean Dyche is settled at Burnley and has no real reason to move to Newcastle United.
This is what makes Sanchez Flores a decent option. Having already shown that he can work on a limited budget, the Spanish manager might be able to work with the restrictions the Newcastle United owner has on the club this summer.
He may not be able to attract star players but experience in management and ability to work in a strict environment makes Sanchez Flores a decent option for Newcastle United.
He is out of a job and can easily be tempted to move back to the Premier League but irrespective of his success, the Magpies will feel that letting Rafa Benitez go was a mistake they should have avoided.