Ramos joins Espanyol
Friday, May 17, 2002
Article summary
RCD Espanyol have appointed former Real Betis Balompié boss Juande Ramos as their new coach.
Article body
You don't bring me Flores
Espanyol president Daniel Sánchez Llibre revealed the change at a press conference to announce the departure of Flores, whose contract is not being renewed. "It is no great surprise," he said, "he is the coach you were all expecting".
One-year deal
Ramos has signed a one-year deal with the option of a second term. The move comes 48 hours after Ramos left Betis, whom he led to sixth place in the Primera División and the UEFA Cup.
Contract stalemate
The 47-year-old had failed to agree terms on a contract extension with the Seville club's president, Manuel Ruiz de Lopera. "I asked for what was fair but Lopera did not want to pay it," Ramos said. "Only time will tell if he has done the right thing." The favourite to replace him is the ex-RC Celta de Vigo coach Víctor Fernández.
All in the past
Ramos joined Betis last summer after a successful three-year spell at Rayo Vallecano. Flores, a former Espanyol player, had been coach at Montjuic from 1999, winning the Spanish Cup the following year.
