Paco Flores

Playing career Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Flores was brought up at hometown's RCD Español, being loaned several times during his contract, exclusively in his native region. Subsequently, after having been re-signed from Real Jaén, he spent three La Liga seasons with his main club, scoring eight goals in 33 matches in his first to help the Pericos to the 14th position, just one point above the relegation zone. On 20 November, he netted a late equaliser for the hosts in a 1–1 derby draw against FC Barcelona.

In January 1981, following another stint with Jaén, Flores signed for Linares CF in the Segunda División, but suffered a car accident which nearly cost him the loss of one eye shortly after, leaving the club at the end of his second season.

Coaching career Flores took up coaching in 1984, spending one full decade with Español's youth teams (Espanyol from 1995 onwards). He progressed to the B team in 1994, helping them to promote to Segunda División B in his first season. and leading Espanyol to the 12th position. He then returned to the reserves for two further seasons.

Flores again came to the rescue of the main squad midway through 1999–2000, occupying the position of dismissed Miguel Ángel Brindisi. He managed to lead the team out of relegation (14th place), adding the club's third Copa del Rey – against Atlético Madrid – the first in 60 years, and remained at the helm for a further two full years.

In 2002–03, Flores accepted a new challenge with Real Zaragoza, helping the Aragonese to return to the top flight after one year and being replaced by Víctor Muñoz after the 20th round of the following season, which also ended with Spanish Cup win. After 11 second-tier games with UD Almería in the 2004–05 campaign, he was in charge of the Andalusians for the full 2005–06, leading them to the sixth position.

Flores returned to the top flight in 2006–07, replacing Luis César Sampedro at Gimnàstic de Tarragona in late November 2006, following a 3–2 home loss against RCD Mallorca. Even though he improved on his predecessor's numbers, it was not good enough to avoid relegation.

Honours Espanyol Copa del Rey: 1999–2000