Inside Real Madrid: What next for Alvaro Arbeloa?

AlavésAthletic ClubAtlético MadridBarcelonaCelta de VigoElcheEspanyolGetafeGironaLevanteMallorcaOsasunaRayo VallecanoReal BetisReal MadridReal OviedoReal SociedadSevillaValenciaVillarrealPodcastsCopa del ReyInside Real Madrid: What next for Alvaro Arbeloa?Real Madrid's next match is at home to Alaves on Tuesday Denis Doyle/Getty Images Share articleWelcome to the latest edition of Inside Real Madrid, our weekly series to follow throughout La Liga’s 2025-26 season. Each week, we will bring you key information and analysis on the biggest talking points, cutting through the noisy world of all things Madridista with reporting you can trust. The information contained in this article reflects multiple conversations with various sources at Madrid, all of whom spoke anonymously to protect relationships. Who will be the manager next season? Having lost against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals, Real Madrid are almost guaranteed to finish the season without a major trophy — for the second campaign in a row. Only La Liga is left — and they trail defending champions Barcelona by nine points with seven matches to go. Despite his close relationship with president Florentino Perez, and the challenging environment he stepped into when taking over from the sacked Xabi Alonso in January, Alvaro Arbeloa’s chances of staying in the manager’s job are slim. While some sources at the Spanish club have reacted with more caution on the subject, suggesting that a final decision is yet to be made or communicated, Perez’s internal position reflects his approach to similar situations in the past — that a coach cannot stay at Madrid without winning. On Sunday, The Athletic reported that Arbeloa called an impromptu team meeting at Madrid’s training ground at which he emphasised a need for unity and commitment after such a rocky season. Several players have shown support for Arbeloa and his staff internally in recent days, explaining that they are in favour of the coach carrying on. United States manager Mauricio Pochettino should still be considered a strong candidate. His name is one of those mentioned most often around the club. He is well liked by Perez and his contract with the U.S. runs out after this summer’s World Cup. Jurgen Klopp also definitely has admirers at Madrid, even if the ex- Liverpool manager and his agent have dismissed speculation linking him to the Bernabeu several times in recent months, insisting on multiple occasions that he is happy in his role as Red Bull’s global head of soccer. Didier Deschamps has also been mentioned as a possible Madrid candidate by one industry source. The 57-year-old has led France since 2012 and his contract also expires after the World Cup. Madrid’s main decision is when and how to resolve the situation regarding Arbeloa and his potential replacement. The expectation is for the 43-year-old to be kept on until the end of the season. A meeting between the board and Arbeloa is expected in the near future. Perez is considering addressing the club’s situation publicly before the end of the season. Key discussions are also expected about the players whose contracts expire at the end of this season, such as captain Dani Carvajal and Antonio Rudiger. David Alaba is set to leave the club, as his deal will not be renewed. Speaking at a news conference on Monday morning, Arbeloa said his future has “more to do with the club’s planning than with me” and that he and his staff “have direct communication with the club every week”. He added: “This is the club where things go right most often, but the mindset is to look to the future. I am one of those who thinks that at Madrid it is not only unacceptable to lose, but even winning is not enough, because the level of demand is maximum.” Reaction at the Santiago Bernabeu during Tuesday’s La Liga match against Deportivo Alaves, who are 17th in the table, one point from the relegation zone. Real Madrid’s home fans have regularly booed the team this season, including stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. After Alonso was sacked and Madrid were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by second-division Albacete in Arbeloa’s first game in charge, there were also calls for Perez to resign — something that hasn’t happened for years. Meanwhile, centre-back Raul Asencio had to go to hospital last week, with the club announcing on Saturday that he is suffering from bacterial enterocolitis. Those closest to him say he will try to be back for Friday’s game at Real Betis, and use this difficult end to the season to prove himself following the criticism he has received. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms