Al Ahli boss Quique Sanchez Flores turns down Sevilla offer
Al Ahli boss Quique Sanchez Flores has reportedly turned down on offer to take over the managerial reins at struggling La Liga side Sevilla.
Reports in Spain claimed Sanchez Flores, who only took up his post at Ahli in November, was Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido's No.1 choice to replace Marcelino García Toral who was sacked on Monday following a dismal run of even games without win.
The Andalucian club, UEFA Cup winners in 2006 and 2007, are currently languishing in 11th place in La Liga and had earmarked Sanchez Flores as the man to steady the ship at the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
However, the 47-year-old is understood to have rejected an initial offer of €1million (Dh4.82m) from Sevilla in order to remain at the Rashid Stadium where he is slowly turning Ahli's fortunes around after their disappointing start to the season.
Ahli have lost just once in their last seven games in all competitions and secured an impressive 2-1 win over Dubai rivals Al Shabab last time out to maintain their hopes of reaching the last four of the Etisalat Cup.
Sanchez Flores penned a deal auntil the end of the current season with the Red Knights when he was appointed successor to Ivan Hasek late last year, with the option to extend should both parties be happy with the progress made both on and off the field.
The face the highly-rated tactician has turned down an offer to return to his native Spain would suggest that he is keen to remain in the UAE for a while long yet as he sets about building a side capable of competing for honours once again.
Former Real Madrid hero Michel is now expected to be named as successor to Marcelinho, who became the eighth managerial casualty of the La Liga season after his side's limp 2-1 home defeat to Villarreal on Sunday.
Others who were in the frame included ex-Liverpool boss Rafael Benítez, former Almería tactician Juanma Lillo, veteran Luís Aragones, who oversaw Spain’s Euro 2008 victory, and the man who guided the club two UEFA Cups and two Copa del Reys in a previous stint in charge, Juande Ramos.
