As the past few days have proven, there are few jobs as challenging as the role of Real Madrid head coach.
Just seven months into his three-year contract, Xabi Alonso was replaced as Madrid boss following his side’s 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Super Cup final on Sunday. Alonso is succeeded by another former player, Álvaro Arbeloa.
Both Alonso and Arbeloa were a part of Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid team that won the 2011/12 LaLiga title with a league-record 100 points. Arbeloa was a trusted lieutenant for Mourinho and played 38 games across that historic season.
‘Not Mourinho, I’m going to be Arbeloa’
Over the course of his career Arbeloa played 237 times for Madrid. He spent three seasons under Mourinho and was clearly influenced by his coaching style.
Nevertheless, speaking at a press conference on Tuesday Arbeloa insisted that he would be forging his own path in the role.
“I haven’t spoken to him [Mourinho]. For me, it was a privilege to be coached by him, someone who had a great influence on me. I’m going to be like Arbeloa; I’m not afraid of failure, but if I tried to be like Mourinho, I would fail spectacularly.
“I’ve had many coaches. They were very important in my career, a great influence. You have your own way of being and you take the best from each one. Many are legends, they’ve won everything in football. I hope I do half as well as many of them.”
Arbeloa has been coaching in Madrid’s youth and B teams for the past six years, gaining a reputation as a promising young coach. Now, he has the chance to test himself in soccer’s most demanding job.