Mariano on the chopping block: Alavés exit looms in January window
Former Real Madrid striker Mariano Díaz could be heading for an early Alavés exit after falling out with manager Coudet and being frozen out of the squad.
Mariano Díaz’s Alavés career hangs by a thread just five months after his summer arrival, with a January exit now looking increasingly likely.
From hopeful signing to frozen out
When Alavés snapped up Mariano on a free in August after his impressive pre-season trial, the Vitoria club thought they’d bagged themselves a proper bargain. The former Real Madrid striker arrived after a year on the sidelines, but the Babazorros were willing to take a punt on his obvious talent.
Fast forward to January, and it’s all gone a bit Pete Tong for the Dominican international. Despite decent early involvement, he’s failed to establish himself ahead of Lucas Boyé and Toni Martínez in the pecking order.
His only moments of joy have come in the Copa del Rey against lower-league opponents CD Getxo and Portugalete. Just when another opportunity was presenting itself against Sevilla in the round of 32, disaster struck.
Training ground drama
According to Cadena SER, Mariano and teammate Diarrá walked out of training before the Sevilla cup tie after seeing they’d been given substitute bibs by manager Coudet. The Argentine gaffer wasn’t having any of it and promptly dropped both players from the squad.
Rather than being a one-off punishment, this decision has stuck. Neither player has featured in matchday squads against Osasuna or Real Oviedo since the incident.
While both continue to train normally at Ibaia, the club’s training ground, the January transfer window now offers a potential escape route from what’s become an increasingly untenable situation.
Contract complications
Mariano signed a two-year deal when joining Alavés, but it’s looking less likely by the day that he’ll see out his full contract. His last league start came on November 8th at Montilivi, where he was hooked at half-time after a poor showing.
Since then, he’s managed just 10 minutes in a defeat against Celta Vigo, and with Coudet seemingly unwilling to forgive the training ground walkout, Mariano’s Alavés adventure could be reaching its conclusion much sooner than expected.