Guillermo Almada has announced his departure from Real Oviedo after just over six months in charge, despite being offered a contract extension, according to La Voz de Asturias. The Uruguayan manager guided Oviedo to the majority of their points in their unsuccessful La Liga campaign, ultimately failing to prevent their relegation back to Segunda División.
Oviedo have experienced significant managerial turnover recently, with Almada being the fourth coach to take charge in under a year. Veljko Paunovic, who oversaw the club’s return to La Liga after 24 years, was dismissed early in the season, followed by a second spell for Luis Carrion which proved unsuccessful. Almada was then appointed in December, but could not alter the club’s trajectory.
Almada cited personal reasons for his decision, stating, “We will not be continuing at Real Oviedo; it’s a personal decision.” He expressed his gratitude to the club and highlighted their potential for a swift return to the top flight. Transfer journalist Matteo Moretto reports that Almada is now a candidate to manage Cruz Azul in Mexico, potentially influencing his decision to leave Spain.
Real Oviedo are now considering Fredi Alvarez, currently managing Celta Vigo’s affiliate side Celta Fortuna, as a leading candidate to replace Almada. Alvarez has twice qualified Fortuna for the play-offs in Primera RFEF, demonstrating his ability to develop and motivate players. He previously managed at Santiago de Compostela, Boiro, and Izarra before joining Celta in 2021, progressing through various youth roles before taking charge of Fortuna.
The 50-year-old Alvarez has built his career primarily within Galician football, showcasing a consistent track record of improvement with his teams. His appointment would signal a continuation of Oviedo’s search for stability as they aim to challenge for promotion next season. The club will hope Alvarez can bring a sustained period of success after a turbulent year.
