It looked very much like Martin O'Neill was going to be Stoke City's next manager this week, until it didn't. Stoke's preferred candidate for the gig was Espanyol's Quique Sanchez Flores, erstwhile of Watford.
While O'Neill had spoken to Stoke officials about the job, it was expected that Flores would be given the job after his own conversations with Stoke's board and some non-committal quotes after Espanyol's cup game on Wednesday night.
Today, however, it has emerged that Flores has turned the Stoke job down, and will stay with Espanyol. Rumours tweeted by Guillem Balague were actually proved right, as Flores announced his intention to stay put in a press conference earlier today.
Quique Sánchez Flores just wrapping up his Espanyol press conference now. Has not explicitly said 'I am staying’ but his statements indicate that he will. #SCFC
— David Cartlidge (@davidjaca) January 13, 2018
Ah, and now QSF was just asked if he will be coach until the end of the season by @pericosonline. He says YES, he will stay. That’s the end of that for Stoke…#SCFC
— David Cartlidge (@davidjaca) January 13, 2018
With Flores now staying put, perhaps Stoke will once again turn to Martin O'Neill, a man who is evidently desperate for the job.
More to follow
