Diego Alonso


Diego Martín Alonso López is an Uruguayan professional football manager and former player who played as a striker.
Other than in his own country, he played football in Argentina, Spain, Mexico and China in a 16-year career, notably winning the 2001–02 Segunda División with Atlético Madrid while being crowned top scorer. He represented Uruguay at the 1999 Copa América.
Alonso began working as a coach in 2011, being in charge of clubs in Uruguay, Paraguay, Mexico and the United States and leading Pachuca to the 2016 Clausura and the 2016–17 CONCACAF Champions League titles. In December 2021, he was appointed at the Uruguay national side, coaching them at the 2022 World Cup and leaving his position following a group stage exit. In October 2023, he signed for Sevilla, being dismissed two months later.

Playing career

Club

Alonso was born in Montevideo, the country's capital. He made his professional debut with Bella Vista where he remained four seasons, helping the side to the Uruguayan Segunda División title in 1997.
After a brief spell in Argentina for Gimnasia La Plata, Alonso moved to Spain, where he played with five teams in as many years: Valencia, Atlético Madrid, Racing de Santander, Málaga and Real Murcia, where he did not have a good scoring record overall. In between his fourth and fifth club, he played one year in Mexico with UNAM.
In 2006, the 31-year-old Alonso returned to his country and joined hometown's Nacional. However, shortly after, he moved abroad again, signing with Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese Super League; after two seasons with Gimnasia, the veteran switched to Peñarol.

International

Alonso made seven appearances for the Uruguay national team in two years. His debut came on 17 June 1999 in a 3–2 friendly win over Paraguay, in Ciudad del Este.
Alonso was chosen for the nation's squad for that year's Copa América, and scored on his quarter-final penalty shootout attempt for the eventual runners-up, also against Paraguay, the hosts. In spite of his season with Atlético he was not selected for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and subsequently criticised manager Víctor Púa.

Coaching career

Early career

Alonso started working as a manager in 2011, being in charge in quick succession of Bella Vista, Guaraní, Peñarol and Olimpia.

Pachuca

In December 2014, Alonso was appointed at Pachuca of the Mexican Liga MX. He led them to the 2016 Clausura and the subsequent edition of the CONCACAF Champions League. On 4 May 2018, he was released.

Monterrey

On 2 June 2018, Alonso was named coach of Monterrey. In May of the following year, after the 2–1 aggregate victory over Tigres UANL in the Champions League final, he became the first manager to win the competition with two different clubs. On 30 September 2019, following a 2–0 loss to the same opposition that left his team in 12th place on the general table, he was dismissed.

Inter Miami

On 30 December 2019, Alonso was announced as the inaugural head coach of Major League Soccer side Inter Miami. On 7 January 2021, he left by mutual consent.

Uruguay national team

Alonso was appointed manager of Uruguay on 14 December 2021, replacing Óscar Tabárez who had occupied the position for the previous 15 years. On 24 March 2022, after four wins in his first four games in charge, he secured qualification for the World Cup in Qatar. In December, after failing to progress from the group stage in the finals, he presented his resignation and cited his desire to return to club duties.

Sevilla

On 10 October 2023, Alonso was named manager of Sevilla, taking over from José Luis Mendilibar; the side stood 14th in the table at the time of his arrival. On 16 December, having failed to win in eight league matches and having been eliminated from the UEFA Champions League group stage as last, he was dismissed.

Panathinaikos

On 10 June 2024, Alonso signed a two-year contract with Panathinaikos of Super League Greece. He was sacked on 29 October, with his team eighth in the table.

Personal life

Alonso is a cousin of Iván Alonso, who also played several years in Spain, mainly with Alavés.
His uncle Daniel represented Sevilla and Castellón in the 70s.

Managerial statistics

Honours

Player

Bella Vista
  • Uruguayan Segunda División: 1997
Atlético Madrid
UNAM
Shanghai
  • A3 Champions Cup: 2007
Peñarol
  • Uruguayan Primera División: 2009–10
  • Copa Libertadores runner-up: 2011
Uruguay
  • Copa América runner-up: 1999
Individual
  • Pichichi Trophy : 2001–02

    Manager

Pachuca
Monterrey
  • CONCACAF Champions League: 2019
Individual