After a spell at Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa, he moved to Segunda División side CD Mestalla in 1965.
Álvarez made his professional debut on 28 December 1965, starting and scoring his side's third goal through a penalty kick in a 3–3 home draw against Recreativo de Huelva.
He appeared rarely for the club during his two-year spell, and subsequently joined CD Tenerife before retiring.
Álvarez started his managerial career with Levante UD in 1988, taking the side back to the second tier after an absence of seven years at first attempt.
Álvarez was subsequently appointed at UDA Gramenet (two spells),[2] CP Almería and Levante.