Manager rejects claims that the club’s dressing room is “unmanageable” due to player ego
Alvaro Arbeloa has backed the idea of Jose Mourinho returning to Real Madrid and described his former coach as “number one”.
Arbeloa has two games left in charge at Madrid, starting with Sunday’s La Liga fixture against Sevilla, and he rejected suggestions that the squad has become difficult to manage.
“I don’t share the idea of an unmanageable dressing room,” Arbeloa said when asked if Mourinho could address perceived issues among the players. “That’s not how I’d define the Real Madrid dressing room.
“As for Jose, I’ve been clear what I think about him. For me, as a player and a Real Madrid fan, I think Mourinho is number one. I thought that a month ago when we played him in the Champions League [with Benfica], and I’ll continue to think it. Jose is, and always will be, ‘one of us’. If he’s here next season, I’ll be very happy to see him back home.”
Madrid have endured a difficult campaign, with off-field stories adding to frustrations after a second consecutive season without silverware.
There have been tensions both within the squad and around the club. There was the training-ground clash between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde, that ended with one player in hospital and both fined a combined €1m. President Florentino Perez also reacted to criticism of his role in Madrid by calling for elections.
Arbeloa, however, dismissed claims that his spell in charge had damaged his standing despite Madrid trailing champions Barcelona by 11 points after last weekend’s clásico defeat.
The former defender took over from Xabi Alonso in January after stepping up from the reserve side.
“I arrived four months ago as a First Division RFEF coach and I’m leaving as Real Madrid coach, having managed Champions League matches,” Arbeloa said.
“There aren’t many coaches who can say that. For me, these four months have been a great experience, a learning process. Being here every day, being in front of you all has been like doing a Masters. I’ll leave with a clear conscience.”
Arbeloa also moved to clarify comments made by Kylian Mbappe after the forward claimed he had been told he was the team’s “fourth-choice forward”.
Mbappe, sidelined for the clásico through injury, was only introduced in the second half of Madrid’s recent win over Real Oviedo. Arbeloa insisted there had been a misunderstanding and said he had already addressed the matter directly with the France captain.
“I understand how the players feel when they don’t play,” Arbeloa said. “I know Kylian wasn’t happy the other day, and I like that. I wouldn’t understand it if Kylian Mbappe didn’t want to play for Real Madrid, even in a situation like this.”
Arbeloa also denied any frustration over Mbappe speaking publicly about their conversation.
“Whenever I talk to the players, I’m not afraid that they might discuss any of the conversations we’ve had,” Arbeloa said. “When I speak privately, I prefer to keep it private, but I don’t mind if it’s talked about. There’s no problem.”
