Introduction
Diego Martín Alonso López (born 16 April 1975) is an Uruguayan retired footballer who played as a striker, and the current manager of Mexican club C.F. Pachuca.
Club career
Alonso was born in Montevideo, the country's capital. He made his professional debuts with C.A. Bella Vista where he remained four seasons, helping the club to the second division title in 1997.
After a brief spell in Argentina for Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata (he would also represent the side towards the end of his career), Alonso moved to Spain, where he played with five teams in as many years: Valencia CF, Atlético Madrid (where he scored 22 goals in 2001–02's second division, helping the Colchoneros return to La Liga, and forming an efficient offensive partnership with countryman Fernando Correa, who added 13), Racing de Santander, Málaga CF and Real Murcia, where he did not have a good scoring record overall. In between his fourth and fifth club, he played one year in Mexico with Club Universidad Nacional.
In 2006, 31-year-old Alonso returned to his country and joined hometown's Club Nacional de Football. However, shortly after, he moved abroad again, signing with Shanghai Shenhua F.C. in the Chinese Super League; after two slow seasons with Gimnasia, the veteran switched to C.A. Peñarol.
International career
Alonso made eight appearances for the Uruguay national team, during five years. His debut came on 17 June 1999 in a 3–2 friendly win over Paraguay, in Ciudad del Este.
Alonso was chosen for the nation's squad for that year's Copa América, and scored on his quarterfinal penalty shootout attempt (5–3 win) for the eventual runners-up, also against Paraguay, the hosts. In spite of his season with Atlético, he was not selected for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and subsequently criticized manager Víctor Púa.
Personal life
Alonso is cousin of Iván Alonso, who also played several years in Spain, mainly with Deportivo Alavés.
Honours
Player
Club
- Bella Vista
- Uruguayan Segunda División: 1997
- Atlético Madrid
- Segunda División: 2001–02
- Pumas
- Liga MX: Apertura 2004
- Shanghai
- A3 Champions Cup: 2007
- Peñarol
- Uruguayan Primera División: 2009–10
- Copa Libertadores: Runner-up 2011
Country
- Copa América: Runner-up 1999
Individual
- Zarra Trophy (Segunda División): 2001–02
Manager
- Pachuca
- Liga MX: Clausura 2016
Managerial statistics
- As of 14 January 2017
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | ||||
| Pachuca |  | December 2014 | Present | 93 | 41 | 25 | 27 | 169 | 122 | +47 | 44.09 |
| Total | 93 | 41 | 25 | 27 | 169 | 122 | +47 | 44.09 | |||