MADRID: New Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has vowed to fight for everything while filling the position vacated by Xabi Alonso and said he will stay in the job for as long as necessary.
Real announced on Monday that Alonso had left the club by mutual consent, following poor form and reports of unrest with some of its senior players.
Arbeloa, 42, took his place from Real Madrid Castilla’s reserve team and inherits a team behind Barcelona by four points in La Liga and reeling from a 3-2 defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday.
“Of course, I am aware of the responsibility and the task that awaits me, and I am very excited,” Arbeloa said during a press conference on Tuesday. “I found a very enthusiastic group of players… They share my enthusiasm to fight for everything and win.”
Arbeloa, who has been part of Real Madrid’s coaching structure since 2020, faces a rapid baptism of fire with just one training session ahead of Wednesday’s Copa del Rey round of 16 clash against second division side Albacete.
The former right-back, who made 238 appearances for Real between 2009 and 2016 and won eight trophies, including two Champions League titles, was relaxed about the length of his coaching tenure.
“I’ve lived in this house for 20 years and I’ll stay there as long as they want me to,” he said.
Arbeloa’s immediate goal is to close the gap to Barcelona in La Liga while securing progression in the Champions League and Copa del Rey.
“The important thing is that the players are happy, that they have fun on the field and that they honor their badge. Wearing this badge is the best thing that can happen to you in life,” he added.
NO MBAPPE
Striker Kylian Mbappe was absent as Arbeloa took charge of his first training session.
Mbappe made his return from a sprained knee as a late substitute in the Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona on Sunday, but he will likely continue to work on his recovery until next Tuesday’s Champions League match against his former team Monaco.
Former coach Alonso admitted it was a calculated risk to involve Real’s top scorer in the game against Barca in Saudi Arabia.
Arbeloa said he had a close relationship with Alonso, a former Madrid and Spanish national team teammate.
“Everyone here knows the bond that binds me to him, the friendship that binds me to him, how much I appreciate him, how much I love him, and I know it’s reciprocal, it has been reciprocal and will continue to be reciprocal,” Arbeloa said.
Alonso, replaced after less than eight months in charge, said on social media that he was leaving the club after doing his best.
“Things did not go as I would have liked,” the Basque coach wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. “Coaching Real Madrid has been an honor and a responsibility. I thank the club, the players and especially the fans for their trust and support. I leave with respect, gratitude and pride for having done my best.”
Published in Dawn, January 14, 2026
