MADRID: Real Madrid’s new manager Alvaro Arbeloa pledged to fight for everything as he stepped into the role vacated by Xabi Alonso and said he would stay in post as long as he was needed.

Real announced Alonso had left the club by mutual agreement on Monday, following a poor run of form and reports of unrest with some of his senior players.

The 42-year-old Arbeloa stepped up in his place from reserve team Real Madrid Castilla and inherits a side trailing Barcelona by four points in La Liga and reeling from a 3-2 defeat in Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final.

“Of course, I am aware of the responsibility and the task ahead of me, and I am very excited,” Arbeloa told a press conference on Tuesday. “I’ve found a group of players who are really eager… They share my enthusiasm to fight for everything and to win.”

Arbeloa, who has been part of Real Madrid’s coaching structure since 2020, faces a swift baptism of fire with only one training session before Wednesday’s Copa del Rey round of 16 clash against second-division Albacete.

The former right back, who played 238 matches for Real from 2009 to 2016 and won eight trophies, including two Champions League titles, was relaxed about how long he would serve as coach.

“I’ve been in this house for 20 years, and I’ll stay as long as they want me to,” he said.

Arbeloa’s immediate goal is to bridge the gap to Barcelona in La Liga while ensuring progress in the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

“The important thing is that the players are happy, enjoy themselves on the pitch, and honour the badge. Wearing this badge is the best thing that can happen to you in life,” he added.

NO MBAPPE

Striker Kylian Mbappe was absent as Arbeloa took charge of his first training session.

Mbappe made his comeback from a knee sprain as a late substitute in the Spanish Super Cup final defeat by Barcelona on Sunday, but is likely to keep working on his recovery until next Tuesday’s Champions League match against his former side Monaco.

Former coach Alonso had admitted it was a calculated risk to involve Real’s top goalscorer in the match against Barca in Saudi Arabia.

Arbeloa said he had a close relationship with Alonso, a former team-mate for Madrid and the Spanish national team.

“Everyone here knows the bond that connects me to him, the friendship that connects me to him, how much I value him, how much I love him, and I know that’s mutual, has been mutual and will continue to be mutual,” said Arbeloa.

Alonso, replaced after less than eight months at the helm, said on social media he was leaving the club having done the best he could.

“Things didn’t go as I would have liked,” wrote the Basque coach on Instagram on Tuesday. “Coaching Real Madrid was an honour and a responsibility. I’m grateful to the club, the players and above all the fans for their confidence and support. I leave respectfully, with gratitude, and the pride of having done the best I could.”

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2026