New Real Madrid head coach Álvaro Arbeloa has insisted he will remain true to himself rather than attempting to imitate former manager José Mourinho, despite frequent comparisons between the two.
Arbeloa, who played under Mourinho during the Portuguese coach’s spell at Madrid, was appointed on Monday following the club’s defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on 12 January. He replaces Xabi Alonso, who was dismissed after less than eight months in charge.
“I haven’t spoken to José yet,” Arbeloa told a press conference on Tuesday. “It was a privilege and an honour to be coached by him. He influenced me greatly and I carry many of his values with me.
“But I am going to be Álvaro Arbeloa. I am not afraid of failure, never have been, but I know for certain that if I tried to be José Mourinho, I would fail spectacularly.”
Mourinho, now in charge of Benfica, coached Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, guiding the club to a La Liga title and overseeing some of the fiercest Clásicos against Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
Barcelona currently lead Madrid by four points at the top of La Liga, and Arbeloa has been tasked with closing the gap. His first match in charge will be away to Albacete in the Copa del Rey last-16 on 14 January.
Having previously worked with Madrid’s youth teams and reserve side, Arbeloa said success remains the club’s defining demand. “This club is about winning, winning and winning again. That obsession is what has filled the trophy cabinets and what I want to continue,” he said.
“When I was a player, those values were passed down in the dressing room. My goal is to excite our fans around the world and leave those cabinets even fuller.”
Real Madrid have not disclosed the length of Arbeloa’s contract. “I’ve been here for 20 years. This is my home, and I’ll stay as long as the club wants me,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé was absent as Arbeloa led his first training session on Tuesday. The France striker, who recently returned from a knee sprain as a late substitute in the Super Cup final, is expected to continue his recovery ahead of Madrid’s Champions League match against Monaco next week.
A club source described Mbappé’s absence as “logical”, given the risk involved in rushing him back to full fitness. Former coach Alonso had previously admitted it was a calculated gamble to use him against Barcelona.
Arbeloa also spoke warmly of Alonso, a former team-mate at both club and international level. Alonso, who announced his departure on social media, said he was grateful for the opportunity to coach Madrid despite results not going as planned.
