News Focus
- Real Oviedo now need their fourth head coach in just twelve months following relegation from La Liga.
- Guillermo Almada has announced his departure after only six months in charge, despite receiving an offer to extend his contract.
- Celta Fortuna manager Fredi Alvarez has emerged as the favourite to take over the Spanish second-tier club.
- The Uruguayan coach Almada is reportedly a target for Mexican club Cruz Azul.
- Alvarez has guided Celta’s reserve team to the play-offs twice in three seasons in the third tier.
Real Oviedo now face the task of appointing their fourth head coach within just twelve months. The Spanish club hopes the new appointment will guide them back to the top flight.
Three different managers took charge of the team known as Los Carbayones this campaign. Despite their efforts, the club became the first team to suffer relegation to the Segunda División.
Club legend Veljko Paunovic had secured promotion to La Liga after a 24-year absence. However, the board sacked him only three months into the new season. Luis Carrion then returned for a second spell at the club, having managed them two years earlier. His second tenure produced no victories, leading to his exit in December. The club then appointed Guillermo Almada, who previously coached Real Valladolid.
The Uruguayan boss collected over two-thirds of the team’s total points. Unfortunately, this return could not prevent their demotion. Almada spent just six months at the helm before revealing his decision to leave. The club had offered him a new contract, but he chose to reject it.
Almada explained his choice on Thursday. He stated that he will not continue at the club. He called it a personal decision. He said it was an honour to serve the institution. He thanked the board for their offer to stay. He noted that many factors influenced his choice. He believes the club can return to the top division. He added that coaches come and go, but the club remains.
Italian journalist Matteo Moretto reports that Cruz Azul of Mexico want Almada. This interest likely influenced his choice to depart. Moretto also names Fredi Alvarez as a top contender for the post. Alvarez currently manages Celta Fortuna, the reserve team of Celta de Vigo.
Under his guidance, Celta Fortuna reached the Primera RFEF play-offs twice in three seasons. He took over from Claudio Giraldez, who now manages the senior Celta Vigo side. The fifty-year-old coach has built his career in Galicia. He previously managed lower-league sides including Santiago de Compostela, Boiro and Izarra. He returned to Celta for a second stint in 2021. During the last five years, he has progressed through the club’s ranks. He started with the youth teams, moved to the under-19s, then coached Gran Pena, before taking charge of Celta Fortuna.