Arbeloa Already Under the Microscope at Madrid After Just 66 Hours
The former defender has barely had time to find his office at Valdebebas, but the vultures are already circling after just one match in charge of Los Blancos.
Former Liverpool and Real Madrid defender Álvaro Arbeloa has barely had time to hang his coat up at Valdebebas, but the knives are already out for the new gaffer.
Trial by Fire
At the time of writing, Arbeloa had been in charge of Real Madrid for approximately 66 hours. That’s right - barely three days in the hot seat and some critics are already suggesting:
- He’s not prepared for the role
- The job is too big for him
- The club made a mistake in appointing him
- The search for his replacement has begun
All this after just one training session and a single match! Talk about a proper baptism of fire. The bloke’s not even had time to learn where the staff toilets are, and he’s already being torn to shreds by some sections of the Spanish media and fanbase.
The Madrid Pressure Cooker
This is the Madrid way, innit? The pressure at Los Blancos is unlike anywhere else in world football. Even the most decorated managers have wilted under the intense scrutiny that comes with sitting in that dugout.
Arbeloa, a club man through and through, surely knew what he was signing up for. But even by Madrid’s standards, this rush to judgment seems particularly brutal and premature.
Patience is a Virtue
Let’s be honest - no one can reasonably assess a manager’s capabilities after one match. Not even the Special One could be properly judged on such a small sample size.
Arbeloa deserves at least a few weeks to implement his ideas and make his mark on the team. The Real Madrid hierarchy have shown faith in him - perhaps the supporters and media should follow suit and give the geezer a chance to prove himself before writing him off.
After all, football management isn’t a game of Monopoly - you can’t just pass Go and collect your silverware. These things take time, even at the most demanding club in world football.