Following a 3-2 defeat to Albacete, Cadena SER reports that Florentino Pérez is already interviewing high-profile managers to replace Álvaro Arbeloa this summer.
The nightmare season for Real Madrid reached a new low on Wednesday, January 14th. In what was supposed to be a fresh start under Álvaro Arbeloa, the Merengues suffered a humiliating 3-2 defeat to Albacete, crashing out of the Copa del Rey in Arbeloa’s managerial debut.
The shock result has ignited a firestorm of criticism from the Madridistas, with many fans questioning the players’ commitment and suggesting that the mid-season departure of Xabi Alonso has done little to fix the deep-rooted issues within the squad.
A “Stop-Gap” Solution According to the renowned Spanish radio station Cadena SER, Arbeloa’s tenure was always intended to be a temporary measure. Behind the scenes, the board is already scouting for a “high-profile” permanent manager for the 2026/27 season.
While Arbeloa remains in the dugout for now, his chances of securing the job permanently have vanished unless he can pull off a “Zidane-style” miracle by winning both the Champions League and La Liga a feat that currently looks nearly impossible given the team’s current form.
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Interviews on the Horizon The report highlights that Real Madrid has already initiated “initial contacts” with several world-class coaches. Official interviews are expected to begin in the coming months as the club looks to reset its project. The board is desperate to avoid a repeat of this season’s “debacle” and is willing to invest heavily in a proven winner.
The Road to Redemption Real Madrid must now pick up the pieces as they return to La Liga action this Saturday.
Match: Real Madrid vs Levante
Date: Saturday, January 17th
Venue: Santiago Bernabéu
A win against Levante is non-negotiable if Arbeloa hopes to maintain any semblance of stability before the Champions League knockout stages begin.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
