Alavés line up Quique Sánchez Flores if Coudet leaves for River Plate | OneFootball

Deportivo Alavés have begun contingency planning amid River Plate’s interest in Eduardo Coudet, with tension rising after defeat to Levante. The team sit near the relegation places and uncertainty over the bench has grown.

Coudet publicly rejected any contact before facing Levante, insisting neither he nor his agent had been approached and citing respect for River’s outgoing coach. However, El Correo reports the Buenos Aires club have already spoken to his representative following Marcelo Gallardo’s departure, and that Coudet fits the competitive, experienced profile sought.

Faced with that scenario, Alavés are evaluating options. Quique Sánchez Flores is viewed as the leading candidate. The former Valencia coach has handled demanding dressing rooms at Atlético, Sevilla and Valencia.

His most recent role came at Sevilla in 2023-24, taking on an unstable project and attempting to steady it amid institutional and sporting turbulence. In Mendizorroza, his appeal lies in deep LaLiga knowledge, defensive organisation and the ability to work with tight squads under high pressure.

Alavés crave stability and points, and would want a tactician capable of imposing order quickly if Coudet does accept River’s proposal. The squad have been inconsistent, competitive in spells yet short of continuity, and recent performances have raised concerns about game management.

Sánchez Flores has also been floated this season as a possible emergency option at Valencia if a severe crisis unfolded with Carlos Corberán, though that scenario did not materialise.

Source: Superdeporte