Misael Alfaro

Álvaro Misael Alfaro Sánchez (born January 6, 1971) is a former Salvadoran professional goalkeeper and currently manager.

Misael Alfaro started his career at juvenile team of Destroyer La Libertad in 1987.

Them he went to Alianza in 1988, and joined Luis Ángel Firpo in 1994 and was soon promoted to starting goalie.

Alfaro made his debut for El Salvador in an April 1991 UNCAF Nations Cup qualification match against Nicaragua, and has earned a total of 42 caps, scoring no goals.

He has represented his country in 12 FIFA World Cup qualification matches in two World Cup campaigns.

However, both were unsuccessful, with the national team failing to progress to the final group stages.

Alfaro had a very successful time with Luis Ángel Firpo, winning several national league titles (1997–98, Clausura 1999, and Clausura 2000), but also losing the final of the Apertura 2001.

Also he played at several UNCAF Cups as well as at the 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

He left Luis Ángel Firpo for San Salvador FC in 2002, losing the final of the Apertura 2002 but winning the Clausura 2003.

Then, Alfaro had spells at Águila (2004) and Alianza (2004–2005) before joining Isidro Metapán for a first spell in 2006, to win another league title at the Clausura 2007.

His final international game was a February 2005 UNCAF Nations Cup match against Costa Rica.

Álvaro Misael Alfaro announced his retirement from the international games in 2006, after learning of problems with his heart.

He rejoined Isidro Metapán in 2009, after two short-lived spells at Atlético Balboa (2008) and Nejapa (2009), to win another league title in the Clausura 2010 with the Santa Ana team.

Alfaro was ranked number 8 in the World's Most Successful Goalscoring Goalkeepers of All Time, chart with 31 goals, with 11 of those coming from a penalty kick.

Previously Alfaro worked in the technical staff of Isidro Metapán as goalkeeper coach between 2009 and 2010.

He ended his career at Isidro Metapán of the Salvadoran Primera División in 2010.

He announced his retirement from football in August 2010, after suffering a serious neck injury during a game against Atlético Marte.

The incident brought a close to his playing career.

After his retirement from football, Misael Alfaro decided to try his luck in the technical staff of different national teams as goalkeeper coach.

Before starting the Apertura 2013 tournament, Alfaro signed as a goalkeeper coach of Alianza, team in which he was only one year working.

At the end of his period in Alianza, Alfaro signed as new goalkeeper coach of Águila (2013–2014), time in which he also received his

credentials of 'Clase B' coach.

In 2014 Alfaro was appointed as new coach of the reserve team of Águila, making the youth team champion of the Apertura tournament of reserves teams.

In 2015 Alfaro was announced as new goalkeeper coach of Luis Ángel Firpo, team that at that time played in the Segunda División.

After the dismissal of Nelson Ancheta of Luis Ángel Firpo, Alfaro was appointed as the team's new coach, Alfaro's first experience as a head coach in a professional team.

In 2016 Juventud Independiente bought the category to Luis Ángel Firpo, being administered by the team of Opico.

Alfaro retained his charge as coach, but after severe arrears in salary payments he resigned his charge in the team.

With Chalatenango Alfaro it was also goalkeeper coach in 2016.

In 2017, after the dismissal of Roberto Gamarra as coach of Isidro Metapán, Alfaro was appointed as interim coach.

In the Clausura 2018 Alvaro was appointed as new coach of Audaz at the time a newly promoted team.

As October 2018, Alfaro was appointed as new coach of Chalatenango for the Apertura 2018 tournament.

On November 25, Alfaro got to classify the team to play the quarter-finals of the Apertura 2018.

In the second leg of the quarter-finals of the Apertura 2018, Chalatenango was defeated by Alianza 0–7 at the Estadio Cuscatlán.