LISBON, May 24 (Reuters) - Spaniard Quique Sanchez Flores was appointed Benfica coach for next season and has signed a contract until 2010, the Portuguese Premier League club said on Saturday.
The 43-year-old was sacked by Valencia in October following
the team's 3-0 defeat at Sevilla in the Primera Liga.
Flores takes over from compatriot Jose Antonio Camacho, who
resigned in March after a run of poor results.
'We will be aware, we want to achieve the important
objectives. Having a competitive team is more than enough reason
to sign with Benfica,' Flores told a news conference at Luz
stadium.
A former Real Madrid and Valencia defender who was also
capped for Spain, Flores took charge of Valencia at the start of
the 2005-06 season following a successful spell in charge of
modest Primera Liga side Getafe.
He steered Valencia to a third-place finish in the league in
his first season in charge and fourth place the following term,
despite a string of injuries to leading players.
The son of former Real Madrid player Isidro Sanchez who
married into the Flores flamenco dynasty, Flores is renowned for
his self confidence and occasional outspoken comments.
Benfica finished fourth in the Portuguese championship this
season.
