Alfredo Tena

Mexican footballer and coach (born 1956)

Alfredo Tena
Tena in 2016
Personal information
Full name Alfredo Tena Garduño
Date of birth (1956-11-21) 21 November 1956 (age 67)
Place of birth Mexico City, Mexico
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
Mexico U18 (Manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1974–1991 América 603 (34)
1991–1992 Tecos UAG 2 (0)
Total 605 (34)
International career
1976–1991 Mexico 107 (12)
Managerial career
1993–1995 Puebla
1995–1998 Santos Laguna
1998–1999 Puebla
1999–2000 América
2001–2003 Pachuca
2003–2004 Querétaro
2005 Pachuca
2006 Veracruz
2006–2007 América (Assistant)
2011 América (Interim)
2012–2014 Espanyol (Assistant)
2014–2015 Morelia
2016 León (Assistant)
2023– Mexico U18
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Alfredo Tena Garduño (born 21 November 1956), also known by his nickname Capitán Furia ("Captain Fury"), is a Mexican former professional footballer and the current youth academy director for Club América.[1] A defender who mainly played as a center back, Tena captained América for several years, and played for his national team during the greater part of his career.

His brother, Luis Fernando, is also a manager and former footballer. He is also the father of footballer Alfredo Omar.

Playing career

Tena debuted with Club América during the 1973–74 season, in a game against rivals Cruz Azul, after coming up through the club's youth system. Soon after, Tena secured a regular spot in the Águilas backfield. During his career at Club América, Tena won numerous titles. During the 1980s, América won six league titles, as well as the Mexican League Champions' Cup trophies after the 1987–88 and 1988–89 seasons, and achieving international success as well with by winning three CONCACAF Champions' Cup titles in 1978, 1987, and 1991 and two Copa Interamericana cups in 1978 and 1991.

Tena was known for his skill and tough marking skills, as well as his sometimes gruff attitude with both opposing players and teammates, a trait that earned him the "Captain Fury" moniker.

In July 1991, Tena announced the end of his career with América, saying: "I have faithfully served this team for so long, all I can say is thank you all for the years of playoffs, championship titles, team mates and all the memories we have made".

Tena would go off to play for Tecos UAG for the 1991–1992 season, before retiring officially from professional football in 1992.

Coaching career

Shortly after his retirement, Tena decided to pursue success from the bench, as a coach. In 1996, he took a job at Santos Laguna, leading them to a title during the Invierno 1996 season. Tena remained at the helm of the Torreón based club until his dismissal in 1998, never being able to duplicate the success of his lone title two years prior. After short stints coaching Puebla and his former team Club América, Tena once again experienced success at the head of Pachuca, winning the league after the Invierno 2001 season. After leaving Pachuca in 2003, he returned to Club América, this time as an assistant to his brother Luis Fernando.

In 2011, Tena was named interim-manager of América, replacing Carlos Reinoso. He was dismissed after a calamitous campaign and was replaced by Miguel Herrera. In 2012, he was named as assistant manager to Javier Aguirre at La Liga club Espanyol.

Honours

Player

América

Mexico

Manager

Santos Laguna

Pachuca

References

  1. ^ "Alfredo Tena asume cargo de fuerzas básicas del América".

External links

  • Alfredo Tena at National-Football-Teams.com

(in Spanish) * Stats as a head coach

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Mexico squad1978 FIFA World Cup
Mexico
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Managerial positions
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Querétaro F.C.managers
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Club Pueblamanagers
(c) = caretaker manager