Abelardo Fernandez resigns as Alaves head coach
Monday 20 May 2019 17:18, UK
Abelardo Fernandez has resigned as Alaves head coach, saying he knew he would not be able to offer "100 per cent" next season.
The 49-year-old joined the club in December 2017 and let them to 14th place in La Liga last season, before taking them to 11th position this campaign.
However, the former Sporting Gijon boss believes it is the right time to move on, saying: "I know that next year I was not going to be 100 per cent.
"I fulfilled that error in Gijon and I would not like to commit it again. I was honest with the club and I told them to look for a substitute."
Alaves president Sergio Fernandez paid tribute to the departing head coach, saying: "We say goodbye not only to a good professional; we say goodbye to a personal friend.
"I believe that he has fulfilled every one of the objectives we had set for ourselves. Now Alaves can dream of higher goals thanks, in part, to his work."
Alaves started the season surprisingly well and were in contention for a Champions League position, but their form took a turn in the second half of the season.
