Stoke's search for a new manager will continue after former Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores pledged his commitment to Espanyol.
Sanchez Flores emerged as Stoke's top target to succeed Mark Hughes after the Potters had to abandon their hopes of luring Gary Rowett away from Derby after he signed a new contract with the Championship outfit.
It is understood a Stoke delegation met Sanchez Flores in Barcelona on Wednesday and it had been reported that the 52-year-old Spaniard had been offered a five-year contract by the Premier League club.
However, speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's LaLiga clash with Athletic Bilbao which was dominated by questions about his future, Sanchez Flores said he is happy at Espanyol, with whom he signed a three-year deal when he took charge in the summer of 2016.
The former Benfica and Atletico Madrid boss said in quotes reported by the Spanish press: "I am and will be coach of Espanyol.
"I belong to Espanyol, I have a contract and I'm honest with this club. I'm well, absolutely content with my situation, and I don't have to explain anything else."
He added: "I'm here and at no point have I said the opposite. It's the facts that matter and nothing else. The facts are that the players don't want to leave and the coach also continues."
Sanchez Flores, who guided to Watford to a 13th-placed Premier League finish and an FA Cup semi-final during his one season in English football in 2015-16, continued: "Football brings these types of situations and clubs ask questions and find out what they find out. It happens constantly with the players.
"But the important thing is that we think. We are happy, we have many things that make us feel like that.
"We like the connection (with the club), how they treat us, I like that Espanyol are growing. I'm in a great city and am involved in one of the best leagues in the world.
"Everything I need, I have here.
"I have nothing else to add, only that I have to focus on the next LaLiga match."
Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018
Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018
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1/49 Alexis Sanchez
After a failed deadline day move to Manchester City in the summer, the Chilean forward has refused to sign a contract with the London-based club, and will have a host of top European sides after him in January or the summer.
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2/49 Mesut Ozil
The German playmaker’s protracted contract negotiations are well documented, and he will have a host of suitors should he fail to resign for the Gunners before the summer.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
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3/49 Juan Mata
The United playmaker is yet to renew his contract with the club, however having started 13 games this season, it seems unlikely the Spaniard will be shown the door by Mourinho.
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4/49 Luke Shaw
Following strong criticism from his own manager and pundits, after a series of long-term injuries, the former-Saint looks set to leave Old Trafford after four seasons that has seen him make only 53 appearances for United.
Man Utd via Getty Images
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5/49 Ander Herrera
Manchester United have a one-year option they can invoke in the Spaniard’s contract should they wish to extend his stay at Old Trafford. Nemanja Matic’s arrival has limited the midfielder’s opportunities with the majority of his appearances this season coming from the bench.
Man Utd via Getty Images
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6/49 Jack Wilshere
Having struggled with injuries for years the Arsenal academy graduate has played in Arsenal’s previous four games. Undoubtedly talented, should the midfielder reject a proposed contract extension from the London club he will have plenty of Premier League sides eager to sign him at the end of the season.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
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7/49 Emre Can
Heavily linked with a move to Juventus, the former-Bayern Munich midfielder has been frustrated by Jurgen Klopp’s rotation policy in a congested Liverpool midfield, and with the impending arrival of Naby Keita from Leipzig in the summer, sees his opportunities further diminishing.
Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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8/49 Marouane Fellaini
Struggling for game time in a United midfield consisting of Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, and Nemanja Matic, the Belgian may be tempted to move in search of first team opportunities.
AFP/Getty Images
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9/49 Franck Ribery
The Champions League winner, now 34, has struggled with injury this season, and has understandably looked rusty upon his return to the Bayern starting eleven.
Bongarts/Getty Images
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10/49 Fernandinho
While the midfielder is out of contract next summer, it is believed that Guardiola is keen for the City hierarchy to offer the 32-year-old Brazilian a new contract.
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11/49 Daley Blind
Having made only 13 appearances for Mourinho’s side in all competitions this season, the versatile Dutchman has been linked with a move to Barcelona.
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12/49 Ashley Young
Following his conversion to full-back by manager Jose Mourinho, the 32-year-old has scored twice and provided four assists with his dangerous delivery from out wide. Teams in the Premier League will be keen to secure the former Aston Villa player’s experience next term.
Man Utd via Getty Images
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13/49 Giorgio Chiellini
At 33 the Italian centre-back is still a world-class player, and with less than a year on his contract, will surely be a bargain for whoever secures his services next summer.
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14/49 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Undoubted class, but at 36, whether the Swede represents value for money is another matter, with the striker one of the highest paid players in the Premier League.
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15/49 Fernando Torres
The former Liverpool striker has had to settle for a place on the bench since his return to Atletico Madrid, behind Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro in the pecking order. A move away surely beckons for the 33-year-old.
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16/49 Aaron Lennon
Former-Spurs flyer Lennon has not been offered a new contract by current club Everton, but will certainly add Premier League know-how to promoted sides looking to avoid relegation next season.
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17/49 Arjen Robben
Bayern’s other veteran winger has also had an injury-stricken season in Bavaria, though has still managed to score three and assist four in all competitions. The Dutchman is certainly still a threat when fully fit.
Bongarts/Getty Images
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18/49 Iker Casillas
Having won the Champions League three times, Casillas is certainly a high-quality goalkeeper. Could the Spanish veteran be a good signing for a top-European club?
AFP/Getty Images
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19/49 Santi Cazorla
Blighted by serious injuries to his Achilles and having had surgery nine times in 14 months, the diminutive midfielder will hope to regain his fitness to restart his career.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
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20/49 Bernard
The pacey winger has enjoyed a four year spell in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk, though in not signing a new contract, may have his heart set on playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
AFP/Getty Images
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21/49 Mario Balotelli
The enigmatic Italian striker has reignited his stop-start career in Nice with 33 goals in 49 appearances for the French side.
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22/49 Hatem Ben Arfa
Talent in abundance though lacking work rate, teams interested in the attacker will hope they can see the player find the form he displayed at OGC Nice, scoring 18 goals and assisting 7 in 2015/16.
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23/49 Ezequiel Lavezzi
The stocky Argentine forward has been on fire this season in the Chinese Super League, scoring 20 goals and assisting 19 in 27 games. A return to Europe is surely on the cards for the former-Napoli man.
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24/49 Joel Robles
Displaced from the Everton starting line-up by £30m summer arrival Jordan Pickford, the Spaniard will be eager to guarantee himself more game-time should next year.
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25/49 Juanfran
The Atletico Madrid legend, now 32, is under increasing competition from Croatian full-back Sime Vrsaljko and could be tempted by a move before retirement.
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26/49 Amin Younes
The Ajax forward, currently sidelined with a serious knee injury, had an excellent season in 2016/17 and was rewarded with his first Germany cap by Joachim Lowe in June this year.
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27/49 Andre-Pierre Gignac
The French target-man has enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career with Mexican side Tigres UANL, scoring a goal in every two games in all competitions. Proven in Ligue 1 with Marseille, the striker is capable of succeeding in Europe.
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28/49 Yohan Cabaye
Capable of dictating games at the top-level, the Frenchman could surely be a wildcard for a top side in the Premier League next season.
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29/49 Joao Moutinho
Winner of Ligue 1 with AS Monaco last year, the 31-year-old midfielder is into the final year of his contract.
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30/49 Leon Goretzka
The box-to-box midfielder has had an excellent start to the season, scoring 4 goals from central midfield for Schalke. The German international has been linked with moves to top European sides Barcelona and Juventus.
Bongarts/Getty Images
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31/49 Carlos Vela
The Mexican wideman has found goals hard to come by this season, scoring just once this season for Real Sociedad.
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32/49 Yaya Toure
After years of speculation that Toure would leave Manchester City, the Ivorian’s time at City finally seems to coming to an end.
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33/49 Stefan de Vrij
Liverpool have been linked to the Netherland’s international in recent weeks as Jurgen Klopp seeks to add quality to his defence.
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34/49 Neven Subotic
The Bundesliga winner has made only four appearances this season, often failing to even make the bench for Dortmund.
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35/49 Max Meyer
The 22-year-old playmaker Meyer has been consistently linked with Liverpool, Tottenham and Barcelona and has so far refused any contract offers made by Schalke.
Bongarts/Getty Images
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36/49 Dani Garcia
The Spanish midfielder has been a mainstay for SD Eibar over the past three seasons. Offering a goal-threat from midfield with his long-distance shooting and set-piece ability, Garcia could prove a shrewd acquisition.
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37/49 Achraf Hakimi
The Moroccan full back has deputised well for Dani Carvajal in La Liga this season, and has shown glimpses of his potential at the Bernabeu.
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38/49 Stephan Lichsteiner
Disappointing performances for the Bianconeri this season, and added competition from Mattia de Sciglio have led to rumours that the Swiss defender could be set to leave Turin in January.
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39/49 Diego Reyes
The 25-year-old defender has guided FC Porto to the top of the Primeira Liga, conceding only six goals in the process.
AFP/Getty Images
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40/49 Enes Unal
Still only 20, the Turkish forward has seen his career stall since moving to Spain from Manchester City. Should the striker fail to sign a new contract with Villareal, a move back to the Eredivisie could prove fruitful for a striker with vast potential.
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41/49 Rafinha
The experienced Brazilian right-back is entering the last year of his contract with Bayern Munich. Capable of deputising at the top level, and with invaluable experience in the Champions league, the 32-year old could provide excellent cover for an elite European side next season.
Bongarts/Getty Images
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42/49 Ivan Marcano
The Porto centre-back, also capable of playing left-back, has been the subject of interest from Everton following a number of impressive displays for the Iberian club.
AFP/Getty Images
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43/49 Joao Miranda
Former Atletico Madrid star Miranda has started all but one league game for Inter Milan this term helping his side keep eight clean sheets so far. Should he fail to renew his contract with the Nerazzuri, he will be a top acquisition for any side.
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44/49 Kepa Arrizabalaga
The 23-year-old goalkeeper is yet to sign a new deal with Athletic Bilbao, and is rumoured to be close to agreeing a move to Real Madrid for €20m.
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45/49 Kwadwo Asamoah
The five-time Serie A winner is capable of playing in a variety of positions and would certainly be a valuable squad player for top sides in Europe.
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46/49 Mark Uth
The 26-year-old striker has been in excellent form for Hoffenheim this season, scoring 12 goals in all competitions.
Bongarts/Getty Images
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47/49 Pedro Leon
Injured since the summer, the experienced right winger would be a gamble with such little game time in the past year. If he can prove his fitness, the winger is capable of creating chances from wide areas, with six assists last season in La Liga.
AFP/Getty Images
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48/49 Sergio Canales
The Spanish playmaker is yet to agree a new contract and has proven, when fit, that he is capable of playing at the top level.
AFP/Getty Images
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49/49 Zlatko Junuzovic
The Werder Bremen creative midfielder has assisted 49 in 182 appearances, scoring 20 goals in the process.
Bongarts/Getty Images
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has been another name in the frame to replace Hughes, who was sacked by Stoke last week following their humiliating FA Cup defeat at Coventry.
Stoke have also slipped into the relegation zone after a run of just two wins in 12 Premier League matches
Eddie Niedzwiecki has been in temporary charge since Hughes' departure, taking training ahead of the Monday's league trip to Manchester United.
- More about:
- Premier League
- La Liga
- Stoke City
- Watford
- Espanyol
- Quique Sanchez Flores
- Mark Hughes
- Gary Rowett
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