Pako is one of the most highly regarded Coaches in Spanish and indeed European football. As assistant manager to Rafa Benitez at Valencia, they won the Spanish Primera twice in 2002 and 2004 as well as the UEFA Cup also in 2004 before moving to Liverpool.

Pako was an integral part of the management team that saw Liverpool win the UEFA Champions League in 2005 and followed this up by winning the FA Cup in 2006 and narrowly missing out on second place in the league but finished third and qualified for the Champions League.

As well as being Benitez’s trusted right hand man and tactically astute, he was also regarded as one of the world’s top fitness Coaches and was hugely popular with the players.

They reached the final of the Champions League Final again in 2007 and finished second in the league before Pako decided to resign when he and Rafa could not agree on how the team should be progressing.

It’s no coincidence that Liverpool struggled since Pako left the club and the clubs he has since been to have achieved success. Benfica won the League Cup in 2009 and when he returned to Valencia this season, they improved three places on the previous season by finishing third behind Barcelona and Real Madrid, qualifying for the Champions League.

In June 2010 Pako turned down a three year deal contract extension at Valencia in order to pursue his career as a Head Coach. He is now a free agent and has also rejected an offer as a number two at a Premier League club, preferring to wait for the right opportunity as Manager.

Pako’s background in Sports Science as well as his tactical awareness, man-management skills and experience suggests he has all the credentials of a top Manager.