Luna takes up Alavés gauntlet
Friday, February 17, 2006
Article summary
Spanish strugglers Deportivo Alavés have appointed Mario Luna as their fourth coach of the season, replacing the sacked Juan Carlos Oliva.
Article body
'Insubordination'
Luna, a former assistant coach at Real Racing Club Santander, has been on the technical staff at Alavés since the start of the season, working mainly as a scout. He steps in after Oliva was fired for what Piterman termed "insubordination" – "people here are not independent and the coach is not at a liberty to say or do what he wants".
Interference
Luna will take charge of the team for Saturday's Primera División game at Real Madrid CF. His predecessor Oliva warned: "Piterman has told me he is going to make it clear that the coach will not have the freedom to work alone." Alavés, 15th in Spain, have also been under the tutelage of Rafa Montfort and Jesús 'Chuchi' Gómez Cos this term.