At a glance
- Real Madrid take on Alaves at the Bernabeu in La Liga on Tuesday.
- At a prematch press conference, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa said he isn’t worried about his future.
- The former full back could continue beyond the summer, or be replaced in the dugout by president Florentino Perez.
Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa insists he isn’t worried about his future ahead of a La Liga clash with Alaves at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.
With Bayern Munich knocking Los Blancos out of the Champions League quarterfinals and FC Barcelona leading the league by nine points, Madrid are facing a second consecutive season without major silverware.
This usual spells the death knell for whoever mans the dugout. Yet there have been reports that Arbeloa could stay after all given the brave display his men put on in the Allianz Arena.
In any event, the manager isn’t going to get worked up about the topic with seven Spanish top flight games to spare.
“It is a decision that’s not my responsibility,” Arbeloa said, at a prematch press conference on Monday. “I’m not worried about my future at all. I’m worried about these seven games and especially tomorrow’s.
Arbeloa isn’t worried about a frosty reception from Real Madrid fans
Considering Madrid letting the league slip away and their continental exit, jeers at the Bernabeu wouldn’t be a massive surprise.
Once again, though, it’s not a matter Arbeloa will allow to ruffle his feathers. “It doesn’t worry me, because I’ve felt on the street that the fans are with the team. We have to play a good game tomorrow, play well and earn applause at the Bernabeu. We have to go out to win the game, and show [that we care] from the moment the ball moves”.
Club legend Luis Figo commented at the weekend that Xabi Alonso wasn’t given enough time in the hotseat prior to being dismissed in January. If he’s moved on, the same could be said about Arbeloa.
“It’s not the same to arrive in the middle of the season, it’s clear, and with circumstances such as injuries. But something that is obvious to me does not deserve further reflection. We have a great squad. I don’t think it takes a revolution to be able to fight for titles. We will fight to win again,” Arbeloa vowed.
Above all, Arbeloa seems at peace as a man who knows his fate’s not in his hands. Managing the Castilla, he probably didn’t expect his promotion to the elite as quickly as it came, and anytime spent leading the first team is a bonus that looks great on his CV.
