In a characteristically ruthless move, Real Madrid has once again demonstrated its zero-tolerance approach to management, sacking head coach Xabi Alonso after just seven months in charge. The decision came swiftly on Monday night, a mere 24 hours after a painful 3-2 defeat to arch-rivals FC Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
A Swift and Brutal Change at the Helm
The Spanish technician's tenure was abruptly cut short following the disappointing result in Saudi Arabia on Sunday night. Stepping into the hot seat is a familiar face from the club's recent golden era: Álvaro Arbeloa. The 42-year-old, a former teammate of Alonso's at Liverpool, Real Madrid, and for the Spanish national team, has been promoted from his role managing the club's B team, Real Madrid Castilla.
Arbeloa is no stranger to success at the Bernabéu. As a player, the right-back was integral to a trophy-laden period, helping the club secure eight major titles between 2009 and 2016. This haul included two Champions League crowns and a LaLiga title. The Madrid hierarchy is now fervently hoping his winning mentality as a player can be successfully translated into his coaching career, as the Spanish giants continue their pursuit of glory in LaLiga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey.
The Mourinho Mentality: A Blueprint for Success?
For any Real Madrid player uncertain about what to expect from their new boss, a look at his footballing philosophy provides clear answers. Arbeloa is considered a devoted disciple of his former manager, José Mourinho, under whom he played 122 games across three seasons in Madrid from 2010 to 2013.
His allegiance is no secret. In a 2017 appearance on Spanish TV show 'El Chiringuito', Arbeloa openly declared himself a 'Mourinhista'. "Of course I am a Mourinhista," he stated. "Being a Mourinhista is a way of doing things, of always being sincere and not being afraid to be yourself. I try to be as Mourinho as possible."
This admiration stems from Mourinho's fierce protection of his squad. In a past interview with The Independent, Arbeloa praised his old manager's loyalty, describing him as "a bulletproof vest for the players." He reflected, "If someone was criticised, he was the first to defend them. He fought against the calendar, against kick-off times if he believed they were against us, or against a referee if he thought they had been unfair to Real Madrid. He fights for the team's interests without caring if his image is damaged in the end."
A Glimpse of His Fiery Touchline Nature
This Mourinho-esque willingness to confront and defend his team was vividly displayed in May 2023 during a Real Madrid Under-19 match against local rivals Atlético Madrid. A sideline dispute erupted with Atlético's then U-19 coach, Fernando Torres – another former Liverpool and Spain teammate of Arbeloa's.
The confrontation turned physical, with a muscular Torres shoving Arbeloa and threatening, "I'll blow your head off." Arbeloa, visibly animated, shot back: "Start whenever you want." The referee showed Arbeloa a yellow card for his actions before sending off Torres, much to the delight of the Real Madrid supporters present.
A Clear Defensive Philosophy
Beyond the combative spirit, Arbeloa brings a meticulous and clear tactical ideology, particularly regarding defence. For the new manager, effective defending is not solely about winning the ball back aggressively. He explained his philosophy to The Coach's Voice in February 2024, stating, "The key is to control the space and force the opponent to play where they can do the least damage."
"Defending is not always going for the tackle, it's knowing how to wait for your moment," he continued. "Often the mistake is wanting to win the action instead of winning the situation. Against very good players, if you rush in, you are dead. Man-marking only makes sense if there is a structure behind it."
This detailed approach could be crucial for strengthening a Real Madrid side that has kept only one clean sheet in its last eight matches. Arbeloa's first major test comes swiftly, with a Copa del Rey round of 16 tie away at Albacete on Wednesday.
The pressure at the Santiago Bernabéu is immense and patience is notoriously short. If results do not improve quickly, Arbeloa could face the same fate as his predecessor. Only time will tell if the Mourinho disciple can emulate his idol and become another 'Special One' for Real Madrid.
