Real Madrid Castilla head coach Álvaro Arbeloa has responded to the media speculation that he is being lined up to replace Xabi Alonso as the club’s first-team manager.
The situation on the Bernabéu bench has of course dominated the headlines across Spain over recent weeks.
This comes amid mounting claims that Florentino Pérez and co. are considering shaking things up.
After a positive opening to the campaign, Real Madrid have seen their performances and results alike fall off a cliff of late.
All told, Los Blancos have managed wins in just two of their last eight across all competitions.
Much of the blame for these woes has inevitably been placed on the shoulders of Xabi Alonso, who has seen everything from his tactics, personnel choices and man management called into question.
Amongst the names tipped to replace the ex-midfielder on the touchline in Spain’s capital in the case of a sacking is the aforementioned Álvaro Arbeloa, currently in charge of Real’s reserve side.
Drawn on such a possibility during an exchange with the media on Saturday, though, the former Blancos defender moved to play the topic down:
“Have I been informed about the possibility of taking over from Xabi Alonso? No. I am the Castilla coach and focused on that. On my players, on the upcoming matches, on the training. There is nothing else outside this framework. Xabi Alonso is an exceptional coach.”
Conor Laird – GSFN
