Alonso is named the new sporting director for Cruz Azul as the club continues its restructuring after a difficult Opening 2023.
Blue Cross began reorganizing the club and one of the first moves was to bring in Ivan Alonso as the new sports director.
Until the contract is signed and the official announcement is made, Alonso is expected to assume the role previously held by Óscar ‘Conejo’ Pérez, who, according to several reports, will move into a different position within the light blue squad.
One of Alonso’s early decisions is the appointment of a new technical director to replace Joaquín Moreno on the Cruz Azul bench. The plan reportedly includes the Argentinian Martín Aldasi as the candidate for the Clausura 2024 project, pending formal confirmation.
This article aims to provide a deeper look at Alonso and his new responsibilities as the technical director of Cruz Azul.
WHO IS IVÁN ALONSO?
Alonso is a former Uruguayan footballer who has transitioned into management. During his playing days, he represented clubs such as River Plate of Uruguay, Deportivo Alavés, Real Murcia, RCD Espanyol, Toluca, Nacional, and River Plate. He previously worked as a sports director at Pachuca, a tenure that ended after six months amid questions surrounding his approach and decisions.
THE PACHUCA CONTROVERSY
Alonso joined Pachuca in 2022 to lead the sports project, but his stay lasted only half a year as the board, led by Armando Martínez, opted to move in a different direction for reasons that sparked public speculation.
Recent reports have highlighted allegations tied to hiring practices during his time with Pachuca, including a controversial decision related to a Brazilian player whom Alonso had previously shared a locker room with at Peñarol.
IVÁN ALONSO’S ORGANIZATIONAL CARD
In Cruz Azul, Alonso plans to build a structured project aligned with the arrival of Argentinian coach Martín Aldasi. The leadership would be divided into three main areas: football management, high performance management, and health management. The scouting department and core squad will also undergo restructuring, all guided by clear objectives.
As part of the transition, directors Héctor Islas, Jorge ‘Vikingo’ Dávalos, and José Luis ‘Chato’ Ortega, along with Joaquín Moreno and the veteran staff member nicknamed the ‘Rabbit,’ are slated to depart as the new project takes shape.
This approach signals a broad shakeup intended to drive performance across multiple facets of the club’s operations. The plan emphasizes alignment between on-field strategy, athlete health, and talent identification to support a cohesive and competitive unit in the upcoming seasons.