It was the 2009 season and the Ecuadorian football market was surprised by the announcement of the arrival of the Spaniard Benito Flor, who arrived at the head of Barcelona SC and who in history was the manager of one of the biggest and most important clubs in the world. world like Real Madrid.

In December 2008, Eduardo Maruri, then president of the Canary Islands, officially announced the employment of DT, who is currently 70 years old and has retired from the industry.

“After a week of serious work with the management of Barcelona, ​​we came to the conclusion that the best thing that can happen (to the group) is to start the process with a coach like the Spaniard Benito Flor,” Maruri said. .in that time.

The Spaniard signed a contract for two seasons, but he stayed for a short time and if he arrived with high expectations, he left with the rejection of the fans because in 2009 the Toreadors were about to be relegated to Serie B for the first time in their history.

In June, Floro was separated from his duties, and years later he sued the Canaries for a debt to FIFA, which brought them close to losing the category.

Ties with the trainer were not canceled until 2016, with the board José Francisco Cevallos. Floro sued the team to FIFA for a debt of $373,000, which increased to $662,000 in interest and legal fees.

The coach appeared again in an interview with a Spanish newspaper and was asked about his time at Barcelona SC and the arrival of his compatriot Miguel Ángel Ramírez at Sporting de Gijón, a team he also managed.

Did you also train in Ecuador (Barcelona de Guayaquil), like Miguel Ángel Ramírez?, they asked him.

“I don’t have the pleasure of meeting him, but I tell him that there is good football, quality. I was lucky to be in one of the great ones,” Floro answered daily the market from Gijon, Spain.

According to the coach, he is waiting for the opportunity to manage again. There is currently no team.

“That’s definitely a lot to say. We who love football in a different way and see that this is the end… It does not mean that I have no illusions. I’m still looking forward to having a national team in my hands again, like what happened with Canada (he was their coach for three years), which is the best a coach who loves football can have. Everyone is involved,” he concluded. (D)