Real Madrid News
Former Real Madrid defender wants to manage first team, ready to wait for his chance
The Santiago Bernabeu paid tribute to the Real Madrid Juvenil A team ahead of the senior side’s home game against Real Valladolid on Sunday to celebrate the youth side’s triumph in Copa del Rey which they won on March 11.
As part of the tribute, former defender and Juvenil A head coach Alvaro Arbeloa took the centre stage. The 40-year-old, who began his professional playing career with Real Madrid, was honoured with a tifo by the Real Madrid fans which read, “ETERNAL CAPITAN”.
As it turns out, Arbeloa is still in the hearts of Madrid fans and they have not forgotten that despite being the coach of the Juvenil A team, he also acts as the team’s ambassador in national and international events.
And now with Carlo Ancelotti’s future in limbo, the former defender is seen as a potential successor of the Italian, reports Jorge Picon, with the ex-Spanish international himself dreaming of managing the senior team.
In all fairness, while Arbeloa has done well enough with the youth team, Castilla manager Raul continues to have the vote of the management. For now, the club continue to assess the options, which also includes roping in experienced personnel such as Mauricio Pochettino.
And these developments do not really concern Arbeloa even a single bit, reports the journalist. The 40-year-old knows that becoming the manager of the first team is still a distant dream.
Now, Arbeloa does have the approval of the leadership of Real Madrid, but nobody, including himself, is in a hurry to take the bigger step. In fact, he would not mind continuing a few more years with the youth team.
Picon mentions that Arbeloa’s immediate plan is to go to Castilla first where he is considered Raul’s natural heir. For now, no one knows what lies ahead for the 40-year-old, but he wants to continue his managerial journey one step at a time. In the midst, he would also not decline new opportunities from abroad.
As Real Madrid brace themselves for a busy summer transfer window with an array of exits on the cards, the club is particularly keen on beefing up their attacking positions. Following a difficult season where the Copa del Rey trophy proved to be one of the only redeeming factors, recruitments are sought after in the hope of regaining their crown in Europe.
Florentino Perez envisions a competitive Real Madrid attack next season and thus links with football’s most prized assets barely astound. In a recent revelation by Pacojo Ser, it appears that the Los Blancos have set their sights on Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. The two Englishmen are considered Madrid’s plan A.
Bellingham has long been on Madrid’s radar and arguably has one foot in the Spanish capital already. Fabrizio Romano informs that Real Madrid hope to complete the details of his deal next week. Talks are advancing between Dortmund and Madrid as they edge towards an agreement.
Bellingham fell short of the Bundesliga title after a dramatic final day but ended up salvaging the player of the competition award. In 31 Appearances, he garnered 8 Goals and 4 Assists, with 34 Chances created, a 55% Tackle completion, and a 67% Dribble success.
On the other hand, Harry Kane continues to be monitored significantly by the Real Madrid hierarchy. While his future mostly revolves around the continuation of Benzema which is still up in the air, Kane would be considered a priority signing, especially if Benzema’s move to Saudi Arabia materializes.
Kane currently has the second most goal+assists in the premier league season, with a total of 33. Despite falling behind Haaland in numbers, he performed consistently for Spurs as they endured a rocky season marred with complications.
Real Madrid are in the midst of a transition phase as the ageing midfield requires new blood, while the front line has many uncertainties. After Asensio’s departure, losing Benzema would further deplete the attack. Thus Bellingham and Kane being considered as the ‘Plan A’ hardly comes as a surprise.
