- Alvarez informed United staff he was leaving last week and said his farewells
- Spaniard had worked closely with David de Gea since arriving in 2016
- De Gea credited Alvarez with helping him become one of world’s best keepers
- But questions were asked of his methods after De Gea’s form slumped
- Richard Hartis was also brought back to the club as a keeper coach this year
David de Gea’s coach Emilio Alvarez has left Manchester United.
The 47-year-old Alvarez was brought to United in 2016 to work closely with De Gea, having previously mentored the goalkeeper while at Atletico Madrid.
Indeed, De Gea credited Alvarez with helping him to become one of the world’s top goalkeepers and his employment by United was seen as influential in keeping their then much coveted star happy at Old Trafford amid interest from Real Madrid.
David de Gea’s goalkeeping coach Emilio Alvarez has left Manchester United
Alvarez, left, had been at United since 2016 having worked with De Gea previous at Atletico
However, De Gea’s dip in form last year prompted questions about Alvarez and his methods within Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching set-up. It is understood his relationship with United’s other keepers had also become strained.
Solskjaer brought back former academy coach Richard Hartis as senior keeper coach in June and that was viewed as a further threat to Alvarez’s role.
Questions had been asked about Alvarez’s methods when De Gea’s form slumped last season
Alvarez and De Gea are also understood to have grown less close in recent weeks with their working relationship described as ‘more perfunctory’.
The Spaniard informed staff that he was leaving last week and said farewells on Friday.
The Spanish keeper recently committed his future to United by signing a new long-term deal
De Gea agreed a new £375,000 a week contract with United earlier this month and may now work with Hartis more intensely or consider requesting another personal coach to help sharpen his skills.
A Manchester United statement read: ‘Manchester United confirms that Emilio Alvarez is leaving the club.
‘Emilio joined as Goalkeeper coach in 2016 and has been instrumental in developing and coaching the first team goalkeepers during his time in Manchester.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said ‘I would like to thank Emilio for all his help and hard work since my return to the club. We all wish him well for the future.’
Emilio Alvarez said: ‘I will always be proud of belonging to this club. Wishing you every success in your endeavours.’
Solskjaer, meanwhile, has added coach Martin Perch to his backroom staff.
Perch, formerly at Watford, has been working abroad and is primarily a fitness coach.
