Good Riddance

By: Al | October 23rd, 2009

1256203012_0 Adios Abel Resino, hello Quique Sanchez Flores.

Quique Sanchez Flores, best known for his stint at Valencia a few years ago, will be presented today as the new Atletico Madrid manager. The fact that he is Madridista is something that the director’s board didn’t originally like, but his desperation for work enthusiasm impressed the club and now he will take over.

Michael Laudrup, of Barca treachery, good looks and Getafe managerial success, was the first name on the list. However, after sitting down and having a cup of coffee with the sporting director, Laudrup claimed to have “too many doubts” which completely canceled his candidacy. According to Jesus Garcia Pitarch, the Atletico Madrid job “must illuminate your eyes, not give you doubts”.

Quique Flores and Italian media whore Luciano Spaletti were the second two names on the list, but because of Spaletti’s high salary demands, Quique was the better option.

I can’t be any happier with this news. It was about time that Resino got the sack because his stay was a bit prolonged. There was no reason to keep him as the team was going absolutely nowhere this season with him in charge. He did ultimately get us in a Champions League spot and saved us from the wreck that Aguirre left the club in, but this season, we only kept on going in decline.

We will definitely appreciate some great moments from last season with Resino in charge, such as the legendary 4-3 comeback against Barcelona and the excellent 1-1 draw in the Madrid derby. He is truly an Atletico at heart, having played as keeper for the club back in the early 90’s, so this was his dream job. I expect him to keep on managing lower division clubs as he was doing before, and moving on up from there. Good luck.

Who knows if Quique is good as a long term solution, but all I know is that we could use about anything right now. Plus, Atletico is known for always winning their first match with a new manager, so I’m looking for his first match in charge (which isn’t this weekend because Resino’s assistant Santi Denia will take over).

A proper Quique Flores post is soon to follow.