Luis Castro on Levante, LaLiga ambitions, Mourinho and Carlos Alvarez

After helping Levante secure survival last season, Luis Castro is preparing for his first full campaign in charge of the Spanish club in LaLiga.

The Portuguese coach welcomed Flashscore to Levante’s training ground in Valencia for an in-depth conversation about his journey to Spain, the challenges facing the club, his ambitions for the new season and the return of José Mourinho to Spanish football.

Castro also discussed the quality of Carlos Alvarez, who has been linked with Benfica, as well as the current landscape of Portuguese football.

‘I never imagined I would get here’

Castro arrived at Levante with a difficult task, but the club ultimately achieved its primary objective of avoiding relegation.

“We knew it was a tough challenge, but we also knew the team had players with enough quality to do a bit more,” Castro explained.

“We were aware of the club’s history, a club that, in difficult times, comes together and sometimes manages to do very interesting things.

“We believed it was possible and, fortunately for us, we did it. We knew it was a very tough goal, considering the number of matches already played and the points we had.”

That sense of unity was something Castro quickly identified with, particularly because of the way his own career developed gradually.

“At the time, when I came here, that was actually one of the things I said. In terms of my life since I was young, achieving things step by step to get to where I am now, it fit perfectly with the club’s identity.

“That was one of the things that attracted me. I feel very good here. It’s a family club, welcoming, where everyone works towards the same goal and you feel very well received from the very first minute.”

A long-awaited LaLiga opportunity

For Castro, coaching in Spain represents the fulfilment of an ambition he had carried since childhood.

“Yes, I think for all Portuguese people, since we were kids,” he said when asked whether LaLiga had always been a dream.

His memories of Spanish football include some of the biggest Portuguese figures to have made their mark in the country.

“Figo, Baía, Fernando Couto, Mourinho. We had a lot of Portuguese players and coaches here, and we also had matches between Portuguese and Spanish teams that we followed closely.

“At the time, it was the best league in the world, the one with the most visibility, and since we lived in the neighbouring country, it was the league we followed the most.”

Castro admitted he never expected to eventually manage in Spain.

“It wasn’t my dream to get here because I never imagined I would, but it was a league I followed and, when you become a coach and reach a certain level, you think: ‘What if it happens one day?’ Luckily, I had the chance to come.”

The Levante manager also rejected the idea that LaLiga is technically inferior to the Premier League.

“For me, no. If you look at the 21st century, it’s the country with the most Champions Leagues and Europa Leagues, and in terms of national teams, it’s also the country that has won the most titles, and there’s a reason for that.”

Castro acknowledged the financial power and global exposure of the Premier League but believes Spanish football remains among the world’s best.

“The Premier League is much more in the spotlight and has the money that LaLiga doesn’t, but in terms of the game itself, last season, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico knocked out three English teams in the same round.

“The Premier League is very strong, but in terms of quality of play, I have a different opinion. There are English teams that play very well, but overall, I think LaLiga has many teams playing good football.”

‘Mourinho? I’ll be up against the best Portuguese coach of all time’

With the new season approaching, Castro knows Levante face another difficult campaign.

The club will operate with one of the smallest budgets in LaLiga, making survival the immediate priority.

“You can expect, once again, hard work. A club that will have one of the lowest budgets in LaLiga,” Castro said.

“We’re working so that in the future this will be different, but those who bought the club bought it with a very high financial debt. In Spain, financial fair play doesn’t allow investment from those with this kind of debt.

“I know the club will work to the maximum, give everything. Everyone is aligned with the same goal. We know it won’t be easy, but we know we can achieve it.”

Asked whether he hopes for a more comfortable season than the previous campaign, Castro was straightforward.

“Let’s hope so, but if, at the end of the season, we secure it again on the last matchday, I’ll sign the papers right now.

“We hope to achieve it earlier, with a bit more comfort, but if you tell me: ‘You’ll do it again on the last matchday and suffer like last season?’ I’ll sign the papers now.”

One of the biggest talking points in Spanish football this season will be the return of José Mourinho, something Castro views as a privilege for Portuguese football.

“It will be a pleasure. He’s a reference in LaLiga and for all Portuguese people of my generation. He was a reference at the start of my career; I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting him.

“Playing against him is a source of pride. I’ll be up against the best Portuguese coach of all time.”

Castro also believes Real Madrid can improve under Mourinho but stressed that success depends on more than the head coach.

“I believe Real Madrid will improve, but as with all clubs, the club’s structure and organisation need to allow that to happen. When things go wrong, it’s the coach who leaves, but often there are many other factors that people don’t know about, or even do, and they’re not the coach’s responsibility.”

Castro’s view on Barcelona

The Levante boss also offered his assessment of Barcelona and head coach Hansi Flick.

“I think Hansi Flick was smart. Barcelona still has many of the things it had before and has become stronger in some areas where it wasn’t. I think it’s a more complete team.

“It still has the essence of Barcelona and Spanish football, but he also gave them what, in other moments of the game, Barcelona didn’t take advantage of as much and now they’re stronger.”

‘FC Porto might have a slight advantage’

Despite working abroad, Castro continues to follow Portuguese football closely.

The new campaign has brought changes at Benfica and Sporting, while FC Porto have largely maintained the core of their squad.

“FC Porto hasn’t changed much; Sporting is changing a lot, but from what I saw in pre-season, the changes weren’t bad. Benfica is trying to change; I think it will take a bit more time, but any of the three can win it.

“They have the structure to organise themselves for that and have players of the level to fight for titles. It will be tight as always, but I think FC Porto might have a slight advantage for not having changed much and being the champion, but maybe by the fifth matchday everything could be different.”

Portuguese players remain attractive in Spain

Castro believes Portuguese players continue to have strong appeal in LaLiga, although Levante’s financial limitations make transfers difficult.

“Many Portuguese players are wanting to come here. We have some players who were here and went to the World Cup. Renato Veiga, Cancelo, Gonçalo Guedes, Samu Costa.

“We have several players in LaLiga. Bernardo is coming now. It’s an attractive league.”

However, Castro insists Levante will only pursue Portuguese players who can make a genuine impact.

“The Portuguese player has to be someone who adds value and can make a difference. There are some with that profile and then several things have to come together, including salary and transfer fee.

“With a low budget, it’s not easy for Levante to have the money to sign a player at LaLiga level. Unless we do something crazy.”

Asked whether another Portuguese signing could still happen, Castro refused to rule it out.

“I always say that until the last day of the transfer window, anything can happen. There’s a lot of quality in Portuguese players, the doors are obviously not closed, and if there’s one that Levante and I like, of course we’ll try.”

‘Carlos Alvarez will get there’

One of the most intriguing topics was Carlos Alvarez, the Levante midfielder who has been linked with Benfica.

Castro has little doubt that the youngster possesses the ability to play at a higher level.

“He is, and I think he’ll get there. I don’t know if it will be this window, but his future will take him there.”

Castro believes Alvarez was among the standout performers in the second tier last season and can make an impact in LaLiga when fully fit.

“Last season, he was by far one of the best players in LaLiga 2. This year, he had traumatic injuries that didn’t allow him to play all the time, but in the few minutes he played, you could see his level.”

Asked to describe Alvarez’s strengths, Castro highlighted his technical ability and creativity.

“He’s a player with above-average technical quality, strong in one-on-ones, and in the final pass he’s very capable of providing assists. He may look small, but he also has a very good shot.”

The coach recalled one particular example of Alvarez’s ability, when the midfielder struck the crossbar from distance against Espanyol.

“He improved defensively this year; in LaLiga 2, he didn’t need that as much. He’s become a more complete player.”

Castro believes Alvarez could be particularly effective at a club that dominates possession and regularly operates in the final third.

“With us, he makes a difference and, in teams that have more possession, are more attacking and play closer to the opponent’s box, he’s definitely a player who will make a difference.”

And when asked whether Alvarez would fit at Benfica, Castro’s response was emphatic.

“Yes, in clubs that fight for titles, he has the profile of an attacking player who can make a difference.”