He amassed La Liga totals of 211 games and seven goals over 11 seasons, representing in the competition Atlético Madrid, Deportivo and Sevilla.
[1][2] On 29 June 1991, Alfredo scored the game's only goal against RCD Mallorca in the final of the Copa del Rey,[3][4] also appearing in the following year, a 2–0 win over Real Madrid.
On 10 February 2014, following a third-division loss at CD Sariñena which left the B side in the relegation zone, he was fired, being replaced by Oscar Mena who had also played for them in the 90s.
[10] Santaelena continued to work in the third division (renamed Primera División RFEF in 2021) in the following years, being in charge of CF Rayo Majadahonda and San Fernando CD.
[11] On 29 April 2024, he was sacked by the latter as they were seriously threatened with relegation,[12][13] and in July he dropped down two levels after taking over Tercera Federación's CD Toledo.