López de Lerma steps up to Castilla hot seat as Real Madrid reshuffle youth setup
Former Espanyol man Julián López de Lerma takes charge of Real Madrid Castilla, with the club also securing young striker Adrián Arnu from Valladolid on loan.
Real Madrid have promoted from within to fill their Castilla managerial vacancy, with Juvenil A boss Julián López de Lerma stepping up to replace Álvaro Arbeloa at the helm of Los Blancos’ reserve side.
The new gaffer
López de Lerma, 38, has been absolutely smashing it with the Juvenil A side since taking over from Arbeloa last summer. The numbers speak for themselves:
- 19 wins
- 1 draw
- Just 2 defeats in 22 matches
Under his guidance, Juvenil A currently sit top of their league and have reached the last 16 of the UEFA Youth League. It’s proper job he’s done there, which explains why the Madrid hierarchy have turned to him again.
From player to coach
Before hanging up his boots prematurely due to injuries in 2011, López de Lerma had a decent playing career:
- Made his professional debut with Espanyol in La Liga
- Played in the 2007 UEFA Cup final (which Espanyol lost to Sevilla on penalties)
- Was on the bench for that mental 4-3 Real Madrid comeback against Espanyol during Capello’s ‘remontadas’ season
- Represented Spain at U19 level
After retirement, he spent 13 years working his way through the Espanyol academy coaching ranks before joining Real Madrid last year to take charge of Juvenil B, where he immediately led them to the league title with an impressive 27 wins, 4 draws and just 1 defeat.
New striker arrives
The coaching change isn’t the only news out of Castilla. The club has also secured 18-year-old striker Adrián Arnu from Real Valladolid on loan with an option to buy. The Spanish U19 international stands at 1.85m and arrives to bolster the attack following Rachad’s injury.
Arnu has made limited appearances in the Segunda División this season (just 8 matches) but gained valuable experience last year with Valladolid’s reserve team in Segunda Federación, even making his La Liga debut. He fits the ‘killer’ profile Castilla have been searching for up top.
López de Lerma’s promotion represents a significant vote of confidence from the club, establishing him as a key figure in La Fábrica’s coaching hierarchy. Now he’ll be tasked with developing the next generation of potential Bernabéu stars – and he’s got the bobby dazzlers to do it.