The news about the relationship between actress Blanca Romero and football coach Quique Sánchez Flores has become a top topic of discussion in Spain. While the couple themselves remain silent, their relatives have already started commenting on the unexpected union. It seems Blanca’s Christmas wish for love, which she mentioned to reporters shortly before the holidays, came true much sooner than she expected. Or perhaps the Asturian actress was already keeping a pleasant secret at that time.
Just before Christmas, Blanca announced she was leaving Madrid—where, according to her, she was quite happy—to return to her hometown to celebrate with her family. “I’m going back to the mountains,” she shared, unaware that the next morning her photo with the former footballer would appear on the covers of all the glossy magazines.
The surprise wasn’t just for the public. Quique’s cousins, actress Alba Flores and musician Guillermo Furiase, were clearly caught off guard. At an event honoring their father and uncle Antonio Flores, journalists surprised them with questions about the new romance in their family.
“My cousin and I know so much about this…” Guillermo joked, while Alba’s face showed a range of emotions—from bafflement to genuine astonishment. It was hard to tell whether she was hearing about it for the first time or deserved an acting award for her performance. “We just haven’t had time to talk about everything,” she replied with a laugh. Barely containing his own laughter, Guillermo added, “I just found out,” to which Alba whispered, “Me too.”
Despite initial surprise, the younger generation of the Flores clan showed their trademark hospitality. They assured everyone that they would be happy to welcome Blanca into their family. “We always welcome everyone,” Alba Flores stated confidently. Guillermo echoed his cousin’s sentiment: “Good people, welcome.” For now, they are the only members of the famous family to comment on the year’s most talked-about romance.
Blanca Romero herself is in no hurry to confirm the rumors, but leaves intriguing hints for her followers. A recent post on her social media, featuring the philosophical phrase, “Life changes when you share it with someone who pushes you toward your values, not your insecurities,” was widely seen as a direct hint at a new relationship. The rest of her feed is filled with everyday moments: a visit to the Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid, a birthday greeting for her daughter Lucía Rivera, and photos of tempting desserts.
As for Kike Sánchez Flores, he remains true to himself. The coach seems to live in a parallel reality, far from headlines and gossip. He has not been seen in public, attended any events, and his already rarely updated social media account remains silent. It appears that the former manager of Sevilla, Benfica, and Shanghai Shenhua prefers to play in a different, more private league.
Incidentally, Enrique “Kike” Sánchez Flores is a well-known figure in Spanish football. The son of footballer Isidro Sánchez and flamenco singer Carmen Flores, he enjoyed a stellar playing career himself, representing Valencia, Real Madrid, and Zaragoza. After retiring as a player, he became a successful coach, leading clubs such as Getafe, Valencia, Benfica, and Atlético Madrid, with whom he won the UEFA Europa League, and also worked in England, the UAE, and China.
