ALVARO ARBELOA APPOINTED: THE FORMER DEFENDER REPLACES XABI ALONSO AS REAL MADRID HEAD COACH
Real Madrid confirms Alvaro Arbeloa as permanent head coach after Xabi Alonso's shock exit. Inside the 2026 Bernabéu shake-up.
Real Madrid didn’t waste any time shaking things up this season. After just half a season, they let Xabi Alonso go.
The club brought Alonso in during the summer of 2025, hoping for big things. Sure, Madrid was still in the hunt for trophies on all fronts, but the results just didn’t live up to what the club demands. And honestly, things weren’t great behind the scenes either. Alonso struggled to connect with the squad, and a few players weren’t exactly thrilled with his approach.
So now, Alvaro Arbeloa steps in. He’s a familiar face—a former Real Madrid defender—and he’s been waiting patiently for this chance.
Let’s take a closer look at Arbeloa and how he fits as Madrid’s new head coach.
Arbeloa hasn’t managed a senior team before this. He started out coaching Madrid’s Under-14s back in 2020, working his way up through the youth and reserve ranks. This past May, after Raul left Castilla (frustrated after getting passed over for the top job several times), Arbeloa took over as head coach of the reserve team.
He was actually a candidate for the main job when Alonso got it, and people inside the club have always spoken highly of him.
Madrid isn’t calling him an interim manager, either. According to their official statement, Arbeloa is the permanent head coach—no mention of a search for anyone else. All signs point to him being Alonso’s full-time replacement. He was in the running last summer, too, right after Ancelotti left.
What about his record with Castilla? Well, tracking youth and reserve stats isn’t easy, but here’s what we know. Since taking charge, Arbeloa’s team has won 12 out of 23 games, drawn three, and lost eight. Early on, they hit a rough patch with four straight defeats in September, but then bounced back to win 10 of their next 19.
Of course, reserve teams are always tricky to judge. The squad changes constantly, and young players are still learning the ropes. Even so, Madrid Castilla plays in Spain’s third tier—Primera Federación, Group 1—and after 19 matches with Arbeloa at the helm, they were sitting in fourth place. That’s not too shabby.
As for his playing days, Arbeloa spent a big chunk of his career at Real Madrid, mostly as a right-back. He came up through Madrid’s academy, got a couple of games with the senior team, then spent a couple of years at Deportivo La Coruña, followed by three seasons at Liverpool. After that, he returned to Madrid and stayed for seven years.
Between 2009 and 2016, Arbeloa made 238 appearances for Los Blancos, scoring six goals. He helped the team win two Champions Leagues (2014, 2016), a La Liga title, two Copa del Rey trophies, and a Spanish Super Cup.
On top of that, he earned 56 caps for Spain and was part of the squads that won the 2010 World Cup and back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
ARBELOA CLAIMS MBAPPE PENALTY WAS VISIBLE FROM SPACE FOLLOWING GIRONA STALEMATE
Alvaro Arbeloa slams VAR for a "moon penalty" snub. Discover why Real Madrid is 6 points behind Barcelona today.
Alvaro Arbeloa wasn't holding back, criticising the decision not to give Kylian Mbappe a penalty, a moment that saw Real Madrid's La Liga title ambitions take yet another hit after their draw with Girona.
On Friday night, Real Madrid ultimately drew 1-1 with Girona; Federico Valverde's second-half goal was ultimately nullified by Thomas Lemar.
In the game's final moments, the home side was visibly incensed, believing Mbappe should have been awarded a crucial late penalty.
Mbappe had driven into the Girona penalty area when he was met by the outstretched arm of defender Vitor Reis.
The French forward subsequently fell to the ground inside the box, but his protests for a spot-kick were dismissed by both the referee and VAR.
The impact left Mbappe with blood on his face, compelling the Real Madrid star to seek treatment above his right eye after being struck by Reis' elbow.
Kylian Mbappe's face was bloodied following the elbow strike he sustained during the match against Girona.
Although the Real Madrid forward fell inside the area after contact from an outstretched arm, his pleas for a penalty went unheeded.
Despite the Real Madrid star needing medical attention, the VAR system ultimately chose not to intervene and award the spot-kick.
"That's a penalty call here on Earth, and it's a penalty on the moon," Arbeloa candidly told reporters after the match.
"It's just another one of those moments, another week where this happens. It simply is what it is, and nobody, myself included, truly grasps it."
"When exactly does VAR decide to step in? It seems to intervene only when it's convenient for them, and when it's not, it doesn't."
"You're already familiar with my stance on these matters; the evidence consistently supports it."
"It was a clear foul; in fact, they called a lesser foul on Kylian earlier that wasn't even close to being a penalty."
"We've faced numerous issues with officials. Whether it's this incident or the one in Mallorca, it often feels like the same narrative unfolding."
This draw consequently inflicted further harm on Real Madrid's prospects of closing the gap on their rivals Barcelona in the La Liga title race.
Arbeloa's team now trails Barcelona by six points, and the Catalan side still holds a game in hand.
Alvaro Arbeloa vocally criticised the officiating decisions made during their draw with Girona.
Thomas Lemar's equalising goal unfortunately led to Real Madrid losing additional points in the La Liga title contention.
As it stands, Real Madrid finds itself six points adrift of Barcelona, with the latter possessing a game yet to be played.
Barcelona has the opportunity to extend its lead to nine points when they host Espanyol on Saturday afternoon.
Real Madrid's focus will now inevitably shift back to the Champions League, where they aim to overcome a first-leg deficit against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
During the midweek fixture, Arbeloa's squad suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to the formidable German side.
The crucial return leg is scheduled to take place at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
WHY DID REAL MADRID SELL VICTOR MUNOZ FOR €5M ONLY TO RETURN?
Discover how Real Madrid beat Barcelona to Victor Munoz while securing Nico Paz from Como for just €9 million.
Real Madrid is planning to strengthen their squad next summer by targeting several cost-effective signings, aiming to refresh a team that’s showing signs of age. The new manager, Alvaro Arbeloa, has injected new energy, working alongside Thiago Pitarch, Manuel Angel, and Cesar Palacios. Still, the club is also focused on recalling some players he previously managed.
One of the more talked-about returns involves Como’s playmaker, Nico Paz. Real Madrid is set to activate a €9 million buyback clause this summer, bringing Paz back after he impressed in Italy. The Argentine, who was named Serie A’s Young Player of the Year last season, has developed into one of Europe’s promising talents.
Besides Paz, Los Blancos are keen on re-signing Victor Munoz from Osasuna. According to Ramon Alvarez de Mon, Madrid plans to bring the 22-year-old back this summer. Munoz left the club last year for €5 million, but the team holds an €8 million buyback option. There had been rumours of Barcelona showing interest, especially since Munoz spent time in La Masia, but it looks like Madrid will secure his return to the Bernabeu.
Munoz has had a breakthrough season at Osasuna, standing out with his pace and relentless running under coach Alessio Lisci. He’s made 31 appearances, scoring six goals and assisting five, and recently scored in his debut for Spain against Serbia. Osasuna even turned down a €25 million bid from Sunderland, signalling his rising value. The club’s sporting director, Braulio Vazquez, confirmed that Madrid’s buyback clause remains active for the early years of Munoz’s contract.
On the other hand, Jacobo Ramon and Chema Andres aren’t expected to return just yet. Alvarez de Mon notes that while Jacobo Ramon’s return is less likely, Chema Andres’s chances depend largely on Real Madrid’s moves in the transfer market. For now, the club seems content to keep monitoring their progress before deciding on a recall down the road.
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