View source for Paco Flores

{{Short description|Spanish football player and manager (born 1952)}}
{{family name hatnote|Flores|Lajusticia|lang=Spanish}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Paco Flores
| image =
| fullname = Francisco Flores Lajusticia<ref name=Profile>{{WorldFootball.net|paco-flores}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|11|26|df=y}}<ref name=Profile/>
| birth_place = [[Barcelona]], Spain<ref name=Profile/>
| death_date =
| height = 1.77 m
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = [[RCD Espanyol Cantera|Español]]
| years1 = 1971–1972 | clubs1 = [[RCD Espanyol B|Español B]] | caps1 = | goals1 =
| years2 = 1972–1976 | clubs2 = [[RCD Espanyol|Español]] | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0
| years3 = 1972–1973 | clubs3 = → [[CE Sabadell FC|Sabadell]] (loan) | caps3 = 14 | goals3 = 2
| years4 = 1973–1974 | clubs4 = → [[CF Calella|Calella]] (loan) | caps4 = | goals4 =
| years5 = 1974–1975 | clubs5 = → [[UE Sant Andreu|San Andrés]] (loan) | caps5 = 14 | goals5 = 0
| years6 = 1975–1976 | clubs6 = → [[Girona FC|Girona]] (loan) | caps6 = | goals6 =
| years7 = 1976–1977 | clubs7 = [[Real Jaén|Jaén]] | caps7 = 36 | goals7 = 18
| years8 = 1977–1980 | clubs8 = [[RCD Español|Español]] | caps8 = 65 | goals8 = 13
| years9 = 1980–1981 | clubs9 = [[Real Jaén|Jaén]] | caps9 = 20 | goals9 = 11
| years10 = 1981–1982 | clubs10 = [[Linares CF|Linares]] | caps10 = 5 | goals10 = 1
| years11 = 1982–1984 | clubs11 = [[FC Santboià|Santboià]] | caps11 = | goals11 =
| totalcaps = 154 | totalgoals = 45
| nationalyears1 = | nationalteam1 = | nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 =
| manageryears1 = 1984–1985 | managerclubs1 = [[RCD Espanyol B|Español C]] (youth)
| manageryears2 = 1985–1987 | managerclubs2 = [[RCD Espanyol B|Español B]] (youth)
| manageryears3 = 1987–1991 | managerclubs3 = [[RCD Espanyol|Español]] (youth)
| manageryears4 = 1991–1994 | managerclubs4 = [[RCD Espanyol B|Cristinenc]]
| manageryears5 = 1994–1997 | managerclubs5 = [[RCD Espanyol B|Espanyol B]]
| manageryears6 = 1997 | managerclubs6 = [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]]
| manageryears7 = 1997–1998 | managerclubs7 = [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]] (assistant)
| manageryears8 = 1998 | managerclubs8 = [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]]
| manageryears9 = 1999–2000 | managerclubs9 = [[RCD Espanyol B|Espanyol B]]
| manageryears10 = 2000–2002 | managerclubs10 = [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]]
| manageryears11 = 2002–2004 | managerclubs11 = [[Real Zaragoza|Zaragoza]]
| manageryears12 = 2005–2006 | managerclubs12 = [[UD Almería|Almería]]
| manageryears13 = 2006–2007 | managerclubs13 = [[Gimnàstic de Tarragona|Gimnàstic]]
}}
'''Francisco''' "'''Paco'''" '''Flores Lajusticia''' (born 26 November 1952) is a Spanish retired [[Association football|football]] [[Forward (association football)|forward]] and [[Manager (association football)|coach]].

His career was closely associated with [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]], as both a player and manager.<ref name=Perico>{{cite web|url=http://hallofameperico.wordpress.com/category/hall-of-famers-del-rcde/flores/|title=Paco FLORES|publisher=Hall of Fame Perico|language=es|date=28 April 2009|access-date=27 October 2011}}</ref>

==Playing career==
Born in [[Barcelona]], [[Catalonia]], Flores was brought up at hometown's [[RCD Espanyol|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 [[1977–78 La Liga|his first]] to help the ''Pericos'' to the 14th position, just one point above the relegation zone.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/deportes/rcde-espanyol/primer-equipo/20181207/453405169613/paco-flores-espanyol-barcelona-derbi.html|title=Paco Flores: "Mi hija nació mientras yo jugaba un Barça – Espanyol"|trans-title=Paco Flores: "My daughter was born while I played a Barça – Espanyol"|newspaper=[[La Vanguardia]]|first=Sergio|last=Heredia|language=es|date=7 December 2018|access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref><ref name=Perico/> He made his debut in the competition on 3 September 1977 at the age of 25, in a 3–1 away loss to [[Sevilla FC]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1977/09/04/pagina-3/1034007/pdf.html|title=3–1: Demasiados errores en un frágil Español|trans-title=3–1: Too many mistakes in fragile Español|newspaper=[[Mundo Deportivo]]|first=Xavier|last=Díez Serrat|language=es|date=4 September 1977|access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref> On 20 November, he netted a late equaliser for the hosts in a 1–1 [[List of sports rivalries|derby]] draw against [[FC Barcelona]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1977/11/21/pagina-1/1036479/pdf.html|title=Lluvia, expulsiones, tarjetas y... empate|trans-title=Rain, ejections, bookings and... draw|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|language=es|date=21 November 1977|access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref>

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 [[1981–82 Segunda División|second season]].<ref name=Perico/> Before retiring, he played a couple of years with amateurs [[FC Santboià]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcsantboia.cat/timeline.php|title=Línia de temps d'un centenari|trans-title=Timeline of a centenary|publisher=FC Santboià|language=ca|access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref>

==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 [[RCD Espanyol B|B team]] in 1994, helping them to promote to [[Segunda División B]] in his first season.<ref name=Perico/>

Flores was appointed first-team manager with 14 games to go in the [[1996–97 La Liga|1996–97 campaign]], replacing the fired [[Vicente Miera]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD03/HEM/1997/03/14/MD19970314-019.pdf|title=Miera, fulminado|trans-title=Miera, obliterated|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=M.C.|last=Cánovas|language=es|date=14 March 1997|access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref> and leading Espanyol to the 12th position.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/galicia/2001/11/29/bombero-quema/0003_854522.htm|title=El bombero se quema|trans-title=The fireman gets burned|newspaper=[[La Voz de Galicia]]|first=Toni|last=Silva|language=es|date=29 November 2001|access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref> He then returned to the reserves for two further seasons.

Flores again came to the rescue of the main squad midway through [[1999–2000 La Liga|1999–2000]], occupying the position of dismissed [[Miguel Ángel Brindisi]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD02/PUB/2000/01/19/EMD20000119016MDP.pdf|title=Paco Flores – El regreso|trans-title=Paco Flores – The return|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=M.C.|last=Cánovas|language=es|date=19 January 2000|access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref> He managed to lead the team out of relegation (14th place), [[2000 Copa del Rey final|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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/2001/04/26/deportes/988236009_850215.html|title=Flores seguirá como entrenador del Espanyol|trans-title=Flores to continue as Espanyol coach|newspaper=[[El País]]|language=es|date=26 April 2001|access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref>

In [[2002–03 Segunda División|2002–03]], Flores accepted a new challenge with [[Real Zaragoza]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elperiodicodearagon.com/noticias/deportes/el-real-zaragoza-presenta-a-paco-flores-como-nuevo-entrenador_6929.html|title=El Real Zaragoza presenta a Paco Flores como nuevo entrenador|trans-title=Real Zaragoza present Paco Flores as new manager|newspaper=[[El Periódico de Aragón]]|language=es|date=8 June 2002|access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.elperiodicodearagon.com/real-zaragoza/2004/01/20/paco-flores-tecnico-hermetico-48272535.html|title=Paco Flores: el técnico hermético|trans-title=Paco Flores: the hermetic coach|newspaper=El Periódico de Aragón|language=es|date=20 January 2004|access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref> helping the [[Aragon]]ese to return to the top flight after one year and being replaced by [[Víctor Muñoz]] after the 20th round of [[2003–04 La Liga|the following season]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cadenaser.com/ser/2004/01/19/deportes/1074472094_850215.html|title=Paco Flores, destituído como entrenador del Zaragoza. Le sustituye Víctor Muñoz|trans-title=Paco Flores, dismissed as Zaragoza coach. Víctor Muñoz his replacement|publisher=[[Cadena SER]]|language=es|date=19 January 2004|access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref> which also ended with [[2003–04 Copa del Rey|Spanish Cup win]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://es.uefa.com/news-media/news/01b5-0f84891c83cb-d62ad8d3f213-1000--victor-munoz-no-seguira-en-zaragoza/|title=Víctor Muñoz no seguirá en Zaragoza|trans-title=Víctor Muñoz will not remain at Zaragoza|publisher=UEFA|language=es|date=15 May 2006|access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref> After 11 second-tier games with [[UD Almería]] in the [[2004–05 Segunda División|2004–05 campaign]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/PUB/2005/04/06/EMD20050406036MDG.pdf|title=Paco Flores es el nuevo técnico en lugar de Fabri|trans-title=Paco Flores is the new manager in the place of Fabri|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Salva|last=Rodríguez|language=es|date=6 April 2005|access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref> he was in charge of the [[Andalusia]]ns for the full [[2005–06 Segunda División|2005–06]], leading them to the sixth position.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.diariodealmeria.es/deportes/Buscando-norte_0_1190881400.html|title=Buscando el norte|trans-title=Looking North|newspaper=[[Diario de Almería]]|first=Paco|last=Gregorio|language=es|date=14 November 2017|access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref>

Flores returned to the top flight in [[2006–07 La Liga|2006–07]], replacing [[Luis César Sampedro]] at [[Gimnàstic de Tarragona]] in late November 2006, following a 3–2 home loss against [[RCD Mallorca]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eldiariomontanes.es/prensa/20061127/deportes/directiva-nastic-cesa-luis_20061127.html|title=La directiva del Nástic cesa a Luis César Sampedro|trans-title=Nástic board of directors sacks Luis César Sampedro|newspaper=[[El Diario Montañés]]|language=es|date=27 November 2006|access-date=27 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2006/11/28/futbol/1164748712.html|title=Paco Flores, nuevo técnico del Nàstic de Tarragona|trans-title=Paco Flores, new manager of Nàstic de Tarragona|newspaper=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]]|language=es|date=28 November 2006|access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref> Even though he improved on his predecessor's numbers, it was not good enough to avoid relegation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2007/05/28/mas_futbol/1180333635_850215.html|title="Soy el culpable de este descenso"|trans-title="I am to blame for this relegation"|newspaper=[[Diario AS]]|first=Ricky|last=Romero|language=es|date=28 May 2007|access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref>

==Honours==
'''Espanyol'''
*[[Copa del Rey]]: [[1999–2000 Copa del Rey|1999–2000]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.lavanguardia.com/LVE01/PUB/2000/05/28/LVG20000528068LVB.pdf|title=La joya del centenario|trans-title=The gem of the jubilee|newspaper=La Vanguardia|first=Enric|last=Bañeres|language=es|date=28 May 2000|access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{BDFutbol|5098}}
*{{BDFutbol manager|5098}}

{{Copa del Rey winning managers}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Managerial positions
|list1=
{{RCD Espanyol managers}}
{{Real Zaragoza managers}}
{{UD Almería managers}}
{{Gimnàstic de Tarragona managers}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Flores, Paco}}
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century Spanish sportsmen]]
[[Category:Spanish men's footballers]]
[[Category:Footballers from Barcelona]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:Segunda División players]]
[[Category:Segunda División B players]]
[[Category:Tercera División players]]
[[Category:RCD Espanyol B footballers]]
[[Category:RCD Espanyol footballers]]
[[Category:CE Sabadell FC footballers]]
[[Category:CF Calella players]]
[[Category:UE Sant Andreu footballers]]
[[Category:Girona FC players]]
[[Category:Real Jaén footballers]]
[[Category:Linares CF players]]
[[Category:FC Santboià players]]
[[Category:Spanish football managers]]
[[Category:La Liga managers]]
[[Category:Segunda División managers]]
[[Category:Segunda División B managers]]
[[Category:RCD Espanyol B managers]]
[[Category:RCD Espanyol managers]]
[[Category:UD Almería managers]]
[[Category:Real Zaragoza managers]]
[[Category:Gimnàstic de Tarragona managers]]