Sevilla turn back on Flores

Dubai Sevilla have ended their interest in Al Ahli coach Quique Sanchez Flores by reaffirming their faith in current manager Michel Gonzalez.

Sevilla chairman Jose Maria del Nido told Spanish press on Wednesday: "We decided to give continuity to Michel. The council vote was 12 in favour and none against. We analysed other alternatives, we have met with some coaches, but we have concluded that the best option is Michel."

This announcement followed confirmation that the club was also reducing its budget from 90 to 60 million euros for next season after a dissapointing year saw them finish ninth.

Flores, the former Atletico Madrid, Benfica and Valencia coach, was favourite to take succeed Michel at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuin Stadium ahead of fellow candidates Joaquin Caparros and Ernesto Valverde. Press reports in Spain had described the 47-year-old 2010 Europa League winner as the cheapest option.

Al Ahli have offered Flores a contract extension, but he has refused to make a decision on his future until the end of the season.

Flores said: "I'm very happy with my stay in Dubai and I look back on it as a good decision. I like working here and the players are responding well to me.

"My players are very understanding and co-operative, but I am not thinking about my future at this moment. I will make a decision when we have played all our football."

But, when linked to the Chelsea and Inter Milan vacancies earlier this season, Flores said he was flattered with the ‘good news' and said he was "prepared to know what it is I have to do in this moment".

Flores, who replaced Ivan Hasek in November, has guided Al Ahli to seventh in the Etisalat Pro League with one game remaining and also to the final of the Etisalat Cup against Al Shabab on May 21.