The former player has taken the reins, following Xabi Alonso’s departure.
Real Madrid have a new head coach: Álvaro Arbeloa. After losing to FC Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, and with the team four points behind their rivals in the LALIGA EA SPORTS table, the decision was taken to move on from Xabi Alonso. In comes Álvaro Arbeloa, promoted from the role of B team coach. Here, we take a look at five things you may not know about the 42-year-old. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.
His entire coaching career has been in the Real Madrid youth academy
This is Arbeloa’s first head coaching job, with all his experience so far in his managerial career coming at youth level. From taking a job coaching the Under-14s in 2020 to becoming coach of Castilla, the B team, ahead of the 2025/26 season, Arbeloa has spent his entire coaching career in La Fábrica, Real Madrid’s youth academy.
238 appearances for Real Madrid
Arbeloa made more appearances for Real Madrid during his career than for any other club, playing 238 times in total for Los Blancos across two different stints. His longest stint was between 2009 and 2016, when he was part of two Champions League-winning squads. The defender even captained the team in a Copa del Rey game towards the end of his time at the Bernabéu.
He won two European Championships and a World Cup with Spain
Arbeloa played 56 times for the Spanish national team during his playing career, and was a member of the squad during the golden era between 2008 and 2012. The right-back played one game as Spain won Euro 2008 and one game on the path to World Cup glory in 2010, before featuring in every single match as La Roja triumphed at Euro 2012.
His fluency in English
Having spent time at Liverpool and at West Ham United during his career, Arbeloa learned English and speaks the language very well. In a multinational dressing room like Real Madrid’s, that should help him to connect with the non-Spanish speakers in the first-team squad.
His dressing room nickname was “Rocky”
During his playing days at Real Madrid, Arbeloa was given a nickname of “Rocky” because of how much time he spent in the gym. He would work out in the gym for at least 20 minutes per day. “When you do three extra sit-ups, they immediately start joking that I’m like Rocky,” he explained.
