Major development in Stoke job hunt as favourite turns down job

It took 20 minutes of the Espanyol press conference but Quique Sánchez Flores finally got to the point.

He ain't f***** leaving! Flores will not be returning to the Premier League, this season at least, as he re-affirmed his commitment to the La Liga outfit. The former Watford boss was said to be the favourite to land Stoke City's top job - recently vacated by Mark Hughes - but he has spurned the Potters' advances. Flores told the Spanish press:

"I belong to Espanyol, I have contract and am honest with the club... I am well and quite happy with my situation. I don’t have to explain anything else."

That was certainly good enough for the Espanyol faithful but it leaves Stoke back at their whiteboard. Next on their list of managerial candidates is reportedly the Ireland team of Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane. O'Neill was in England earlier this week and is said to have had preliminary talks about taking up the role. Keane is expected to be on his coaching ticket. Both O'Neill, who flew back into Dublin on Friday morning, and Keane were at a Soccer Writers of Ireland Association awards ceremony last night but neither commented on Stoke speculation to the media present. More to follow...