Alvaro Arbeloa Steps Up to Transform Real Madrid's Legacy After Xabi Alonso's Departure
Álvaro Arbeloa took on what could be considered football's most challenging position, facing the dual pressure of restoring Real Madrid's trajectory while also correcting the errors from Xabi Alonso's brief tenure.
The former Bayer Leverkusen manager completed just seven months of his three-year deal with Los Blancos, losing his position within 24 hours of Real Madrid's 3–2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
While that defeat may have determined Alonso's destiny, puzzling strategic choices, a public dispute with Vinicius Junior, and his failure to establish a clear team identity transformed one of football's most promising young coaches into merely newspaper fodder across Spain.
How much responsibility Alonso truly bears for Real Madrid's struggling condition remains debatable, but what's certain is the intimidating challenge facing his replacement Arbeloa, who now oversees a disillusioned squad expected to capture trophies without clear guidance on achieving that goal.
Arbeloa Fails His First Test
Arbeloa Fails His First Test
Lacking any top-level management experience, Arbeloa assumed control of the world's biggest club and began his tenure with an embarrassing setback just 48 hours later. Real Madrid suffered an unexpected 3–2 loss to second-division Albacete, eliminating them from the Copa del Rey in the round of 16.
It was irrelevant that several key players remained in Madrid for the match; if Arbeloa couldn't guide a starting eleven featuring Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, Arda Güler and Gonzalo García to victory over a La Liga 2 team, Real Madrid's future appeared genuinely precarious.
17th-placed second-tier side Albacete Balompié knock Real Madrid out of the Copa del Rey in Álvaro Arbeloa's first game. pic.twitter.com/QPYKyCsHLc
Despite the on-field disappointment, the new manager excelled in his post-match interview, accepting complete responsibility for the defeat while refusing to criticize his struggling players. The former Real Madrid Castilla coach channeled Carlo Ancelotti at the podium, supporting his squad with unwavering confidence, particularly praising Vinicius Jr.
"He showed willingness to support the team and carry it forward, to work tirelessly and never disappear," Arbeloa stated. "That's the Vini Jr. I want to witness, someone who takes risks, accepts responsibility and creates imbalance.
"He'll experience more brilliant performances and some lesser ones, but I've observed his commitment and leadership qualities. I'm certain he'll deliver memorable moments and that if Real Madrid aims to secure silverware, we require his peak performance."
Arbeloa Declares His Loyalty to Real Madrid's No. 7
Arbeloa Declares His Loyalty to Real Madrid's No. 7
Less than a month before Arbeloa's statements, Alonso faced similar questioning about Vinicius Jr's on-field difficulties, which prompted jeers from Los Blancos' supporters at home. The former Spain midfielder merely stated that fans possessed the "right to voice their views."
The strained relationship between Alonso and Vinicius Jr was well-documented. The Brazilian star angrily left the field and headed straight to the tunnel when substituted during the season's first El Clásico, excluded Alonso from his public statement regarding the incident, and remained silent—unlike his colleagues—when the club dismissed the Spaniard.
Vinicius Jr was not happy about being substituted during El Clasico...
The Brazilian stormed down the tunnel after being taken off by Xabi Alonso. pic.twitter.com/S58bwxiVZO
Reports even suggested Vinicius Jr suspended his contract discussions with Real Madrid because of his deteriorating relationship with Alonso, who only allowed the winger to complete full matches in nine games throughout his managerial stint.
Having one of the club's prominent figures constantly clashing with the manager proved counterproductive for everyone involved, and Arbeloa ensured he cultivated a positive rapport with the No. 7 from his appointment's beginning, describing Vinicius Jr as "one of the world's most thrilling players" during his inaugural press conference.
The encouragement from Arbeloa has already helped the Brazilian attacker rediscover his rhythm. Vinicius Jr assisted three goals against Monaco while scoring a magnificent strike of his own during the club's 6–1 victory. Radiating joy, the 25-year-old sprinted to the sideline to embrace his new coach after finding the net.
Arbeloa Throws Alonso's Playbook Out the Window
Arbeloa Throws Alonso's Playbook Out the Window
Another persistent issue during Alonso's Real Madrid tenure was the manager's peculiar tactical approach. The former Liverpool legend consistently experimented with formations and player rotation, often to his disadvantage.
From selecting Gonzalo on the right flank against Paris Saint-Germain to benching Vinicius Jr for the team's opening Champions League fixture, to positioning Fran García in left midfield versus Elche, Alonso created unnecessary and largely unsuccessful disruption at the Bernabéu.
The former manager even employed a five-man defense in the Spanish Super Cup final, a formation unlikely to succeed given that two defenders were natural midfielders facing opponents like Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.
Arbeloa, however, has deliberately moved away from Alonso's methods and instead allowed his influential stars to play with liberty, again following Ancelotti's approach. "We want to witness a Madrid that transcends tactical concepts and football systems or structure," Arbeloa proclaimed.
The clearest demonstration of the team's potential under his guidance came against Monaco. Mbappé, Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham and Franco Mastantuono all scored, Güler and Valverde contributed three assists combined, and Tchouaméni completed 88 of 90 passes.
More challenging adversaries await, but Arbeloa is already demonstrating that reduced tactical complexity and increased freedom allows his squad to perform without limitations and as a unified force.
Real Madrid Are Slowly Forging a New Identity
Real Madrid Are Slowly Forging a New Identity
Another obvious issue Real Madrid encountered under Alonso was their fading character. The squad lacked motivation and unity, frequently appearing to merely go through the motions even during crucial matches.
Even during victories, they failed to meet the standards or expectations associated with the jersey. There was no excitement on the field, no intensity evident in the attitudes or performance of Los Blancos, to the extent that home supporters jeered their own players off the pitch repeatedly.
Even under Arbeloa, the team faced significant criticism during the opening 45 minutes against Levante last weekend. However, an outstanding second half revealed signs of an emerging identity, one that the former Real Madrid Castilla manager is prioritizing above everything else.
"[Character and mentality] must always be present and embody what Real Madrid represents," Arbeloa explained. "That mindset, that hunger, that determination, that intensity, all united as one, solidarity. Those principles belong to us. They define what we must represent and what we must never forsake. Following that will come all the tactical concepts."
The squad remains undoubtedly a work in development, and Arbeloa cannot instantly resolve some of the deeper structural problems affecting Real Madrid immediately. However, the Spaniard already appears better suited for what the club requires: a manager, not merely a coach.