Real Madrid already has a replacement on the bench. Following the departure with immediate effect of Xabi Alonso, the club announced that Álvaro Arbeloa will be the new technical director of the first team, making the leap from Real Madrid Castilla, where he has headed since mid-2025.
The decision responds to a commitment to internal continuity and in-depth knowledge of the club. Arbeloa, a former player and reference for Real Madrid, had been doing sustained work in the lower categories, earning the trust of the board for his group management, tactical discipline and alignment with the institutional philosophy.
His promotion occurs at a key moment of the season, with the aim of stabilizing the locker room, recovering competitive order and facing the next matches with a clear idea. The club highlights his leadership, his identification with the crest and his ability to work with young talents, many of whom he already knows from his time at Castilla.
Arbeloa now faces the biggest challenge of his career as a coach, with the mission of leading Real Madrid in a demanding context and under strong media pressure. In the next few hours he is expected to be officially presented and lead his first session in charge of the first team.
