Alfredo Santaelena Aguado (born 13 October 1967), known simply as Alfredo as a player, is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a midfielder, currently manager of CD Toledo. He amassed La Liga totals of 211 games and seven goals over 11 seasons, representing in the competition Atlético Madrid, Deportivo and Sevilla. In 2003, he started working as a coach.

Playing career

Born in Madrid, Alfredo's career professional career began with hometown's Getafe CF in 1988, and he moved the following year to La Liga with neighbours Atlético Madrid; he was personally signed by chairman Jesús Gil after a friendly, going on to experience some of his best years whilst with the team. On 29 June 1991, Alfredo scored the game's only goal against RCD Mallorca in the final of the Copa del Rey, also appearing in the following year, a 2–0 win over Real Madrid. He joined Deportivo de La Coruña in 1993 alongside teammate Donato, and produced roughly the same numbers, although he would be used more regularly. Brought from the bench in the 1995 domestic cup final against Valencia CF, diminutive Alfredo scored with his head for the final 2–1 victory. He left for Sevilla FC two years later, being rarely used over a three-and-a-half-year spell and finishing his career at nearly 36, with his first and second clubs.

Coaching career

Santaelena took up coaching immediately after retiring, mainly in the lower leagues. In 2007, he led CD Cobeña – also in Madrid – to Segunda División B for the first time ever, but the club folded soon after. Starting in 2012, Santaelena spent several years in charge of Atlético's reserve teams. On 10 February 2014, following a third-division loss at CD Sariñena which left the B side in the relegation zone, he was fired, being replaced by Oscar Mena who had also played for them in the 90s. In November 2016, Santaelena took over UD San Sebastián de los Reyes also in the third tier. He was dismissed on 21 January 2018, and spent more than a year without a club before being appointed at Internacional de Madrid of the same league on 2 July 2020. Santaelena continued to work in the third division (renamed Primera División RFEF in 2021) in the following years, being in charge of CF Rayo Majadahonda and San Fernando CD. On 29 April 2024, he was sacked by the latter as they were seriously threatened with relegation, and in July he dropped down two levels after taking over Tercera Federación's CD Toledo.

Managerial statistics

Honours

Atlético Madrid Deportivo