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| Deportivo Alavés | |
|---|---|
| Clubname | Deportivo Alavés |
| Fullname | Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D. |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Ground | Mendizorrotza Stadium |
| Capacity | 19,840 |
| Chairman | Alfonso Fernández de Trocóniz |
| Manager | Luis García Plaza |
| League | La Liga |
Deportivo Alavés is a professional Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country. Founded in 1921, the club has alternated between La Liga and Segunda División while achieving notable runs in domestic and European competitions, including a famous UEFA Cup Final. Alavés plays home matches at Mendizorrotza Stadium and maintains strong regional ties across Álava, Basque Country (autonomous community), and neighbouring communities.
The club formed in 1921 in Vitoria-Gasteiz and rose through regional competitions such as the Campeonato Regional and the early editions of the Copa del Rey. Post-war seasons saw Alavés contesting the Segunda División alongside clubs like Real Zaragoza, Real Murcia, and Cádiz CF. A landmark promotion to La Liga in 1998 under manager José Manuel Esnal "Mané" led to mid-table consolidation against teams like FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF, Atletico Madrid, and Valencia CF. The 2000–01 UEFA Cup run culminated in a dramatic Final against Liverpool F.C. at Stade de France, notable for the participation of players such as Iván Alonso and Jordi Cruyff and for manager Julio Olarticoechea's tactics. Financial difficulties in the late 2000s prompted restructuring, with ownership changes involving entities connected to Mauricio Macri-era investors and, later, local consortiums. Subsequent promotions and relegations pitted Alavés against promotion rivals like Levante UD, Real Valladolid, and Real Betis while maintaining fertile youth ties to academies such as Athletic Bilbao's Lezama and scouting networks in Navarre and La Rioja.
Mendizorrotza Stadium, inaugurated in 1924, is one of Spain's older football grounds, renovated multiple times to meet UEFA and La Liga requirements. The venue has hosted fixtures against continental opponents including AC Milan, Juventus F.C., and Bayer 04 Leverkusen during European campaigns. Proposals to expand or modernise Mendizorrotza have involved municipal authorities in Vitoria-Gasteiz and regional planners from the Junta de Castilla y León and Basque institutions, echoing redevelopment projects similar to those at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu and Camp Nou.
Alavés draws passionate support from Álava, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and the Basque diaspora, with supporter groups historically engaging with fan organisations linked to clubs such as Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao. Local derbies against Real Sociedad and historic encounters with Athletic Bilbao and CA Osasuna generate intense interest. Rivalries with RCD Espanyol and Real Valladolid have emerged through competitive promotion battles and Copa del Rey ties. Supporter culture includes matchday traditions relating to Basque identity, often intersecting with regional festivals like Aste Nagusia and civic events in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Throughout its history the club has featured notable players recruited from across Spain and abroad, including internationals who played for Spain national football team, Uruguay national football team, Argentina national football team, and Netherlands national football team. Managers such as Mané, Julio Salinas, and José Bordalás have led squads that featured names like Iván Alonso, Jordi Cruyff, and Víctor Laguardia. Coaching staff often include former players and assistants with pedigrees at clubs like Sevilla FC, Real Betis, and Celta Vigo. The club's technical team collaborates with sports scientists and directors of football acquainted with systems used at S.L. Benfica, FC Porto, and Ajax.
Alavés' most celebrated achievement is reaching the 2000–01 UEFA Cup Final against Liverpool F.C., earning recognition across European competitions such as the UEFA Cup (now UEFA Europa League). Domestic honours include successful promotion campaigns from Segunda División and playoff victories that altered the club's trajectory alongside teams like Real Oviedo and Sporting de Gijón. Record appearances and goalscorers feature club legends whose names appear in Alavés' statistical rolls, while attendance records at Mendizorrotza compare with fixtures against giants such as FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF.
The club's season-by-season history includes stints in Tercera División, Segunda División B, Segunda División, and multiple campaigns in La Liga. Notable seasons include the 1999–2000 and 2000–01 campaigns that secured top-flight consolidation and European qualification, as well as promotion seasons against competitors like Hércules CF and CD Tenerife. Relegation battles have involved clashes with Racing de Santander, Deportivo de La Coruña, and Málaga CF.
Alavés operates a youth academy that competes in age-group leagues and tournaments with clubs such as Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, CA Osasuna, Real Zaragoza, and CD Basconia. The academy focuses on player pathways leading to the first team and loan partnerships with SD Eibar, Gimnàstic de Tarragona, and lower-division sides. Graduates have progressed to represent national teams like Spain national under-21 football team and have attracted attention from academies including FC Barcelona La Masia and Real Madrid Castilla.
Ownership structures have varied, from local municipal backing to private investors and consortiums, reflecting financial episodes comparable to those at RCD Mallorca and Racing Santander. Fiscal management has entailed compliance with La Liga's financial fair play regulations and dealings with banks and private equity linked to transactions seen at clubs such as Valencia CF and Málaga CF. Recent governance emphasises sustainability, commercial partnerships with regional businesses in Álava and sponsorship ties resembling agreements used by Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad.
Category:Football clubs in the Basque Country (autonomous community)