Real Madrid have announced that Alvaro Arbeloa will be their new manager, possibly until the end of the season. He replaces the outgoing Xabi Alonso, who was announced as a surprise departure on Monday evening.
The standard line from the local media on Sunday evening and Monday morning was that Alonso would not be sacked by Real Madrid this week. The announcement said Alonso’s exit was mutual. Arbeloa was cited back in December as a possible option to take over on an interim basis, with Sporting Director Santiago Solari another option. By all accounts, Zinedine Zidane and Jurgen Klopp had taken themselves out of the running.
Real Madrid’s statement on Arbeloa
Shortly after announcing that Alonso was leaving the club, Los Blancos put out the following statement, explaining the appointment of Arbeloa.
Real Madrid CF would like to announce that Álvaro Arbeloa will be the new first team coach.
Alvaro Arbeloa has been Castilla’s coach since June 2025, and has spent his entire coaching career at Real Madrid’s youth academy since 2020. He coached the Under-14s A in the 2020-2021 season, winning the league title, the under-16s in the 2021-2022 season from Under-16 to 2022 to 2022 coach. Under-19s, won the treble in the 2022-2023 season (League, Copa del Rey and Champions Cup) and the League in the 2024-2025 season.
As a player, Alvaro Arbeloa was part of Real Madrid in one of the most successful periods in its history. He defended our shirt between 2009 and 2016, in 238 official matches. During that time he won 8 trophies: 2 European Cups, 1 Club World Cup, 1 Uefa Super Cup, 1 LaLiga title, 2 Copa del Rey and 1 Spanish Super Cup.
With the Spanish national team, Álvaro Arbeloa was also part of a historic period, where he won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and 2 European Championships (2008 and 2012). He was arrested 56 times.
What can you expect from Arbeloa?
Arbeloa has been highly rated at Real Madrid for some time after his success with the youth teams, leading to his appointment as Castilla manager last summer. The former Liverpool defender is said to have a close relationship with President Florentino Perez, who likes Arbeloa as a player and coach. In
As for what he will bring to the team, Arbeloa’s sides at the academy are known for their commitment and aggression, and a high style that has seen him draw comparisons to Klopp. Throughout his time in the youth ranks of Real Madrid, Arbeloa has a record of 151 wins in 200 games. Although his teams enjoy football, his first priority is to win the ball up the field and directly towards the goal.
One thing that might compare Arbeloa from Alonso, who was famously cool and collected, is Arbeloa’s loving nature. He is no shrinking violet, and will bring a unique personality to the job.
What’s on Arbeloa’s agenda first?
First of all, Real Madrid will face Albacete in his first match as head coach in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night at Carlos Belmonte. On Tuesday, he is expected to be introduced to the media, and he is expected to give a press conference before the game of that game.
This weekend Levante visited the Santiago Bernabeu, before AS Monaco in the Champions League, and then to Villarreal in La Liga. Benfica’s day will close the Champions League group stage at Los Blancos, while Rayo Vallecano will be at the Bernabeu, including his first five games in charge.
The Copa del Rey knockout clash or the Champions League play-offs are likely to be his first games with something big on the line, with the Madrid derby at the end of March and the first Liga game circled in red as a big test.
