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Las Palmas hire Manolo Marquez as coach after success with reserves

Las Palmas have named former reserve-team boss Manolo Marquez as their new coach.

Marquez has been handed the top job after helping Las Palmas Atletico win promotion to Segunda Division B in stunning fashion last season, the team losing just twice and finishing 28 points clear at the top of the table.

The 48-year-old has signed an initial one-year deal with the option of another and replaces Quique Setien, who guided the Canary Islands club to a 14th-placed finish in LaLiga last term before leaving for Real Betis at the end of the campaign.

A club statement read: "Las Palmas place their faith in Manolo Marquez for the club's third successive season in the Primera Division, after breaking records with the second team.

"That achievement is the latest of a professional CV which also includes the distinction of being the best coach in the Segunda Division B, when in charge of Badalona, between 2010 and 2012."

Las Palmas also says that former Spain midfielder Juan Carlos Valeron, who retired from playing in 2016, will be one of Marquez's assistant coaches.