Sanchez Flores appointed Shanghai Shenhua head coach

World
Europe

Quique Sanchez Flores has been confirmed as the new head coach of Shanghai Shenhua, with the Chinese Super League club hoping the appointment will enable them to relive the glory days they have almost forgotten.

The 53-year-old, who has been out of work since leaving Spanish side Espanyol in April, faces a daunting challenge to restore Shenhua as the biggest club in the country after witnessing the astounding progress made by their city rivals Shanghai SIPG over the past couple of years.

Shanghai Shenhua unveil a poster to welcome their new head coach Quique Sanchez Flores. /Courtesy of Shanghai Shenhua official website

As one of the traditional powerhouses in Chinese soccer, Shenhua last won the top-flight title in 2003 and finished seventh last season, while SIPG wrapped up their first-ever CSL crown this year in scintillating fashion, ending Guangzhou Evergrande's seven-year monopoly on league championships.

Flores brings huge experience and a highly impressive CV to China, the Spaniard having guided Atletico Madrid to the Europa League title in 2010 as well as coaching Portugal giants Benfica and steering Premier League minnows Watford to the FA Cup semi-final in 2016.

He is best remembered by Espanyol supporters for masterminding an incredible home victory over European champions Real Madrid in February having also held almighty Barcelona to a draw in the same month. However, a poor run of form in the latter stage of the season cost him his job.

Espanyol's Quique Sanchez Flores chats with then Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane before their La Liga clash at Estadio de Cornella-El Prat, February 27, 2018. /VCG Photo

Chinese veteran Wu Jingui took charge of Shenhua from September 2017 before becoming the sporting director of the club. Wu's role change paves the way for Flores to earn his tenth job as a head coach and he will face the media this week.

The Spanish tactician's all-foreign backroom staff has also been confirmed. He will be joined by two assistant first-team coaches, a goalkeeping coach, a fitness coach, and a data analyst.

Next Tuesday, Flores and his players will head for a training camp located on the southern coast of Spain in Marbella ahead of the new CSL season starting on March 1, 2019.