Quique Sánchez Flores' duende: Atlético's test, a crisis to be resolved and his past in Seville
One day, the singer Lolita asked Lola Flores: “Mom, what is the duende?” To which La Faraona replied: “Look at your sister Rosario… that's the duende.” There are hard-working, constant, talented artists… but the duende only belongs to a few. Something similar happens in football. Diego Alonso led Sevilla for eight league games. In none of them did he achieve victory. Quique Sánchez Flores (Madrid, February 5, 1965) arrived in the Andalusian capital last Monday, led a single training session and on Tuesday he was already organizing his new team at the Los Cármenes stadium. They won 0-3. Quique is the nephew of Lola Flores and cousin of Lolita and Rosario. Maybe he carries that imprint, that genius and that light in his blood.
Sevilla is missing some clarity after a terrible start to the season. With Mendilibar football did not flow. The game was stuck, the matches were predictable and the points were scarce. Víctor Orta's determined commitment and complimentary words to Diego Alonso, despite being a coach with no experience in La Liga, excited the fans. His debut, a serious match against Madrid that ended in a draw, would be his best memory. Then the defeats and frustration were concatenated.
Quique has arrived happy and relaxed. Without having to prove anything to anyone. With the aplomb of someone who knows the suffering of the benches and swims with integrity in the temperate waters of the classification. “In big houses there are never small problems,” he said in his presentation. Accompanied by president José Castro and sports director Víctor Orta, who assumed the mistake with the recently fired Uruguayan coach, Quique spoke of feelings rather than approaches.. «Above all, the feeling is one of great emotion. I have many family ties with Seville, where I have lived. I participated during the 70s of this club as a spectator. When I came as a coach, I felt it,” he said.. His father, Isidro Sánchez García-Figueras from Jerez, who died 10 years ago, played for Betis between 1956 and 1961.. Now his son will coach the eternal rival.
That mattress mirror
Sánchez Flores began his career as a coach directing the Madrid youth team in 2004.. From there he came to Getafe, where he established himself in the First Division, making the leap to Valencia, qualifying for the Champions League, and later to Benfica, where he won his first title: the League Cup in 2009.. After Benfica, Atlético de Madrid awaited him, where he experienced one of his greatest successes. The team qualified and reached the final of the Europa League and beat Fulham. It was Atleti's first European title after 48 years. He also qualified the team for the Cup final.. The final was played on May 19, 2010, at the Camp Nou. Agüero and Forlán's Atlético against Kanouté and Jesús Navas' Sevilla. Antonio Álvarez's team won (0-2). This afternoon, Quique will return to what was his home, defending the colors that once stole his glory. The Metropolitan has replaced the old Calderón. Many red and white fans still see Quique as the coach who prepared the ground on which Simeone sowed.
The Madrid native gave stability to the club and made it dream big. He relied on the players, many of them veterans, and led a team adrift, on and off the pitch.. A situation that is very reminiscent of this divided Sevilla, with a crisis in the offices and a desperate fan base after years of anxiety, fleeting coaches and doubts in the economic management of the club.
«We want to transmit enthusiasm, passion and hope for success. It is the only mission we have in Seville; It doesn't seem like a little to me, but a lot, especially a great challenge considering where we come from,” said Quique, aware of the situation.
This Saturday against Atlético de Madrid, Sevilla has an opportunity to believe again. To check if the immediate victory against Granada was more than just luck. Quique's duende, the redemption and pride of the one who remains standing, despite the wounds. This is how Sevilla dreams.