The strongest argument for Alvaro Arbeloa to lay claim to the Real Madrid job next season was their form in La Liga, having overhauled a four-point deficit to Barcelona at the top of the table. Yet after two straight defeats to Osasuna and Getafe, their advantage has evaporated, and Real Madrid now find themselves in the same position as they were under Xabi Alonso, but also out of the Copa del Rey.
Arbeloa’s side slipped to a 1-0 loss against Los Azulones, but he defended their performance, claiming he was the person responsible for it, and that they had created enough chances to win the match. That said, there has been widespread criticism for Real Madrid’s lack of answers and the lack of a clear trajectory of the side after nearly two months in charge.
Doubts over Arbeloa future in the short and medium-term
Not least from the Real Madrid hierarchy. Diario AS report that there are firm doubts over Arbeloa’s continuity, and that the month of March could effectively dictate the end of his time at the club, with difficult La Liga clashes against Celta Vigo (A), Elche (H) and Atletico Madrid (H). Between those games is sandwiched their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Manchester City, described as his ‘lifejacket’.
While the players are also in the crosshairs, Arbeloa’s usage of players out of position early on, his substitutions and the lack of results have brought his management into question. Real Madrid see little sign of the changes they wanted, and there is a feeling Arbeloa could have done more to avoid losses to Osasuna and Getafe. Arbeloa now has eight days to convince his side to put in a different performance against City, but in addition to AS’ report, Pepe Alvarez has described Arbeloa as ‘sentenced’ already.
🚨 Arbeloa está sentenciado.
— Pepe Álvarez (@pepealvarezzz) March 2, 2026
Arbeloa and Real Madrid brass contradict each other
After the game, Arbeloa complained of the officiating, telling Cadena Cope that “It was a match that also had many interruptions, and the referee allowed them to play for not playing at all.” It does not auger well for Arbeloa that AS report the comment from above him in the presidential box was that ‘Getafe didn’t waste Real Madrid’s time at the end, it was the ones white who were wasting it.’
