Stoke target Quique Sanchez Flores as Mark Hughes' replacement

QUIQUE SANCHEZ FLORES has emerged as a contender to become Stoke’s next boss as the club continue to mull over a move for Martin O’Neill.

By Mike Whalley /

Espanyol boss Quique Sanchez Flores has been targeted by Stoke GETTY

Espanyol boss Quique Sanchez Flores has been targeted by Stoke

Former Watford boss Flores, currently in charge of La Liga club Espanyol, is one of several candidates that the Potters are looking at.

The ex-Real Madrid defender spent one season in charge at Vicarage Road, leading the Hornets to 13th place in the Premier League and the semi-finals of the FA Cup, before effectively being sacked in May 2016 when they decided not to extend his contract.

His deal with Espanyol runs until the end of next season, but it is understood that he would be interested in a return to the Premier League.

Stoke have had to rejig their managerial wanted list after Gary Rowett signed a new deal on Tuesday night to stay in charge at Derby until 2021.

Th 30 best players in the Premier League this season - according to power rankings

 
HERE are the 30 Premier League stars who have been in the best form this season, according to Sky Sports’ Power Rankings, and the number of points they’ve been awarded by the scoring system.
1 / 30
30. Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield) - 28,030 GETTY
30. Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield) - 28,030

    Mark Hughes was sacked by Stoke after a series of bad results GETTY

    Mark Hughes was sacked by Stoke after a series of bad results

    O’Neill remains on that list, potentially as a short-term option, and could combine the role with his job as Republic of Ireland boss until the end of the season.

    The former Leicester, Aston Villa and Sunderland manager verbally agreed a two-year contract extension with the FA of Ireland before their World Cup play-off defeat by Denmark in November, but has yet to sign it.

    Stoke are expected to make contact with O’Neill, although he’s not thought to be their first choice for the job.

    The Potters still hope to have a new man in place in time for Monday’s Premier League trip to Manchester United, having sacked Mark Hughes last Saturday.

    First-team coach Eddie Niedzwiecki has been in caretaker-charge this week, with both Hughes and his assistant Mark Bowen leaving the club after last Saturday’s humiliating FA Cup exit at the hands of League Two side Coventry.

    The Potters have fallen into the Premier League relegation zone after collecting just four points from their past seven matches.