Gustavo Alvarez Appointed Head Coach of Liga de Quito After San Lorenzo Exit

Gustavo Alvarez has a new challenge. The Argentine manager, who left San Lorenzo earlier this month, has been appointed head coach of Ecuadorian powerhouse Liga de Quito. The club confirmed the move on Friday, July 24, 2026, following the dismissal of Brazilian coach Tiago Nunes.

Liga de Quito are currently preparing for the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores, where they will face Brazilian side Mirassol. The first leg is scheduled to be played at the altitude of Quito, giving the home side a clear advantage. The club also finished top of their group in the competition.

Key facts

New challenge in Ecuador

Alvarez, a 48-year-old from Lomas de Zamora, Argentina, arrives at a club that has a strong history with Argentine managers. Edgardo Bauza led them to the Copa Libertadores title in 2008, and Luis Zubeldía won the Copa Sudamericana in 2023. The last Argentine to coach the side was Vitamina Sánchez, who won the domestic league but left in mid-2025 due to a strained relationship with supporters.

Liga de Quito had been searching for a replacement after firing Tiago Nunes. The Brazilian was dismissed because the team fell more than 20 points behind league leaders Independiente del Valle in the LigaPro standings. The club’s domestic form has been poor, but their Libertadores campaign has been strong.

Liga de Quito’s Libertadores ambitions

The Copa Libertadores is the primary objective for Alvarez and his new squad. The team won their group and now face Mirassol, a Brazilian club that advanced from the group stage. The tie will be decided over two legs, with the second leg likely in Brazil. Liga de Quito reached the semifinals of the Libertadores last year, and they are well positioned in the CONMEBOL ranking to qualify for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.

Alvarez will need to quickly integrate his ideas. The club’s next match in the Libertadores is in early August, leaving just over a week to prepare.

Alvarez’s recent stint at San Lorenzo

Alvarez joined San Lorenzo in March 2026 to replace Damián Ayude. Early results were promising: the team went eight consecutive matches without defeat (three wins, five draws). However, a 2-1 loss at home to Independiente marked a turning point. Shortly after, San Lorenzo were eliminated from the Copa Sudamericana group stage, finishing third in their group after losing to Recoleta of Paraguay at home. They were also knocked out of the Torneo Apertura by River Plate on penalties, despite leading twice with a man disadvantage.

The disappointing run led to Alvarez’s departure. His time at San Lorenzo lasted only about four months.

The search for a new coach

Liga de Quito initially approached another Argentine, Gustavo Costas, who had been free since leaving Racing Club. Costas’s agent confirmed that the club made a formal offer, but the numbers did not match what the coach was seeking. “The figures are far from what the coach wants. We thank Liga very much. He was excited to join a big institution like Liga de Quito,” the agent said.

After that negotiation fell through, the club turned to Alvarez, who was available after his San Lorenzo exit.

What this means for Liga de Quito

For Liga de Quito, the appointment of Alvarez is a gamble. He has experience in Argentine football but has not yet coached in Ecuador. The altitude of Quito, the pressure of a Libertadores knockout tie, and the need to improve domestic results will test him immediately. The club’s hierarchy is hoping that Alvarez can replicate the success of previous Argentine managers at the club.

For the fans, the move brings a sense of renewal after Nunes’s disappointing tenure. The upcoming Libertadores clash against Mirassol will be a key early gauge of Alvarez’s impact.

Source: Ole – “Tras dejar San Lorenzo, Gustavo Alvarez dirigirá a un equipo que está en octavos de la Copa Libertadores” (https://www.ole.com.ar/futbol-internacional/dejar-san-lorenzo-gustavo-alvarez-digirira-equipo-octavos-final-libertadores_0_lzjSJnfyph.html)