Shock Wins Over Mourinho and Flick! Flores Named La Liga's August Coach of the Month

The announcement of La Liga's August Coach of the Month award caused a major stir across the league. Alaves head coach Flores received the honor, with the official announcement specifically praising him for finishing ahead of Barcelona's Flick and Real Madrid's Mourinho. A coach from a smaller club reaching the center of the stage immediately became a major talking point, built on the solid results he achieved on the pitch.

Seven points from three matches and two clean sheets — how was such a start created?

Looking back at Alaves' three August matches, the record is clear: they beat Getafe 3-0, drew Rayo Vallecano 1-1, and then narrowly defeated Villarreal 1-0. Across those three matches, the team conceded only one goal and averaged nearly two goals per game, showing a steady and disciplined style that avoided unnecessary risks. Its essence lay in meticulous attention to details, from second-phase headers after set pieces to timely defensive coverage at the far post. The distance between players in defense and attack was kept very compact, while counterattacks were direct and efficient.

Against opponents with different styles, Flores did not rush to change his tactical approach. Instead, he first closed the gaps in defense, then gradually looked for opportunities to exploit opponents' weaknesses. Fans jokingly said from the stands, 'Those seven points would be worth exchanging even for a place in a top club's starting lineup,' accurately describing the core value of the team's steady approach.

Unbeaten after four rounds and just behind Barcelona?

Entering September, Alaves continued their excellent form, winning an eye-catching match 5-2. After four league games, they recorded three wins and one draw, firmly occupying second place in the standings.

Across four matches, the team scored 10 goals and conceded only three, with a goal difference of seven. At present, only two teams in La Liga remain unbeaten, with Barcelona being one and Alaves the other.

This team's style is highly practical: they either rely on airtight defense to secure points or completely break through opponents with overwhelming attacks. A solid defensive foundation makes them difficult to beat, while their front line can accelerate at any moment, showing strength at both ends of the pitch. Even without dominating possession, they can still create counterattacking space effectively, with wide players making early runs behind opponents and central players acting as support points. A sudden increase in tempo can quickly turn into scoring chances.

Previously, a fan commented: 'Three points are an expected duty for a top club, but a small team fighting for seven points is an extra surprise.' This statement matches the current standings situation perfectly.

Having briefly coached Shanghai Shenhua years ago, has Flores truly won people over this time?

For longtime fans, the name Flores is certainly familiar. He briefly coached Shanghai Shenhua in 2019 before returning to Europe, where he managed teams including Watford, Getafe, and Sevilla.

He only took charge of Alaves in March this year and was initially viewed more as a 'firefighter' coach. During the closing stage of last season, he successfully guided the team to complete their relegation survival mission.

Many thought he would only be a temporary transitional coach, but instead he built a mature and competitive system with a team originally labeled as a temporary rescue project. Every defender maintains a compact position, and players quickly cover gaps in dangerous areas. In attack, the team does not rely on one particular star's individual ability; forwards, wingers, and midfielders can all step up to score.

Winning the monthly Coach of the Month award is not only official recognition but also a powerful message to the dressing room. The team's high level of unity in execution and tactical philosophy is their strongest foundation.

With Flick and Mourinho among the candidates, why did he win the judges' favor?

Coach awards are not decided only by visible results; they also consider whether a coach has exceeded expectations. In terms of budget and squad reputation, Alaves are not on the same level as giants like Real Madrid and Barcelona. Therefore, the value of their seven points is very different. Measuring them by the standards of elite clubs would be unfair. From the perspective of relative gains, the gap is obvious.

Defeating Europa-level regulars Villarreal 1-0 carried significant value. Against a combative Getafe known for toughness and fierce battles for second balls, leading the team to a 3-0 victory and opening the game early required extensive preparation.

Previously, some industry figures commented that monthly awards place greater emphasis on 'relative gains.' Those with lower expectations and higher final achievement are more likely to gain an advantage. Big clubs already have the foundation to collect points consistently, while a smaller team securing victories against strong opponents naturally receives more attention from judges. The official award statement directly naming the opponents he defeated also increased the attention surrounding the honor.

The rise of small teams is not accidental, with established examples to follow.

This type of story has appeared before in La Liga. During Bordalas' years coaching Getafe, he built an extremely compact formation and pushed the team from the relegation zone all the way to European competition, thanks to tactical arrangements suited to the club's size and extremely detailed execution.

Alaves' start this season has followed a similar path to that Getafe side. Their tactics are not designed for glamour, but their point-gathering efficiency is extremely high, and they prepare detailed plans for different opponents.

Compared with that Getafe team, today's Alaves have a more diversified range of attacking threats. Whoever is in good form takes responsibility for scoring. Their goals have come from multiple sources across four matches, making it difficult for opponents to identify a single defensive focus.

Ultimately, this trophy is not the finish line; the real test is still ahead.

In the coming matches, every opponent will study him closely. The points where the team accelerates on the wings will be restricted in advance, and their second-ball protection methods will gradually be understood. Their share of possession may continue to decline. Whether they can maintain their efficiency from set pieces, counterattacks, and small-area combinations, and whether they can control fouls and tempo after taking the lead, will require time to prove.

As the schedule becomes more congested, the weakness of the team's rotation depth may appear. The toughest future tests will focus on two areas: dealing with injuries and suspensions, and maintaining form during consecutive away matches.

At this moment, many are watching whether this strong momentum can continue into October. Once top clubs fully study Alaves' tactical counterattacking patterns, what new solutions Flores can produce will undoubtedly become one of the most anticipated storylines ahead.