What became of … Desio

Previously… Hermes Aldo Desio (Rosario, Argentina, 1970) is a former Argentine footballer who began his playing career in Spain with RC Celta. Later he would join UD Salamanca for a brief spell before moving onto Deportivo Alavés where he spent six seasons.

Achievements… Desio was with the Basque outfit between 1997 and 2003 and was part of the club’s golden era. Alavés took part in their maiden UEFA Europa League campaign in 2001 and managed to reach the final of the competition on their first time of asking, eventually finishing runner-ups to Liverpool FC after a 5-4 defeat.

After hanging up his boots… The Argentine midfielder finished his playing career at the Mendizorroza at 33 years of age, however, since his retirement he has remained strongly linked with football. He was an assistant coach at Argentine side Arsenal FC and became the general coordinator of youth development at Club Estudiantes de La Plata in 2014.

Did you know?… Desio joined Alavés in the 1997/98 season, the year the team won promotion to the Liga BBVA, and played in the Spanish topflight until retiring from the game during the 2002/03 campaign, when the Basque team was relegated to the Liga Adelante.