'It was not a health issue': Fran Alonso speaks for the first time since Houston Dash exit

On Tuesday, Fran Alonso was officially unveiled to the media as the new head coach of Spanish Liga F side Deportivo ABANCA, the women's arm of Deportivo La Coruña.

The move to Coruña came just seven weeks after the Spaniard officially departed the Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League by mutual consent.

Alonso told the media that he could not discuss everything that happened during his time in Houston due to a "confidentiality agreement."

However, when asked directly about his health and how he was feeling, Alonso responded by saying there "was not a health issue." He inferred that it was a miscommunication that led to that assumption about his health.

Alonso referred to his exit and relationship with Houston as "amicable." The reason he gave for the mutual contract termination was his agent believing a new project would be better suited to him, furthering his career and adapting his coaching style at this time.

Alonso was the active head coach of the Dash for just 141 days. After arriving at the club in February, he did not coach a match after June 22. Although, he did not officially depart the club until October 1st either.

Initially the Dash had said that Alonso was missing due to an "illness." This "illness" was never mentioned again by Houston after the first match that he was absent for, away to the Kansas City Current on June 27. Subsequently a "leave of absence" was the term the club used.

Alonso's record with the Dash through the first 14 matches of the season was W: 3 D: 5 : L: 6, with 11 goals scored and 20 conceded. Houston was 12th in the 14-team table after Alonso's last game.

Speaking at a press conference in Coruña, Alonso also told the media about his excitement for his new position, his first impressions of the players, and reasons for choosing Deportivo.

"We didn't have to negotiate much, really. I made the decision very rapidly," Alonso said about joining Deportivo. "I was looking forward to returning home, and when I saw that the possibility was there, I almost didn't even have to discuss terms.

"I met the players today. I have had the opportunity to go in the morning. We had a small meeting. To tell you the truth, I was very impressed. The results did not reflect the unity that I saw between the players"

When it came to reflecting on what he learned about his short stint in the NWSL, Alonso had high praise for the league. While at the same time, he acknowledged frustrations about his own experience.

"I consider [NWSL] the best league in the world, especially this year. The finances there are on another level. Top-notch coaches have arrived...unfortunately it was not an experience that went 100%. The players we asked for, well, things happened and other things didn't happen. I learned a lot of things," said Alonso.

Alonso was clear that his target for Deportivo was survival. With 20 matches to play, there is plenty of time for Deportivo to escape the drop in Liga F. The bottom two clubs in Spain will be relegated at the end of the season.

The Alonso era in Coruña will get underway on December 7th when Deportivo travels to Granada on Matchday 11.