Arbeloa takes the reins as Real Madrid's 49th LaLiga gaffer
Following a shocking Copa del Rey exit to Albacete, former defender Álvaro Arbeloa makes his league debut as Real Madrid manager against Levante at the Bernabéu.
Real Madrid’s former defender steps into the LaLiga spotlight tonight, becoming the 49th manager to lead Los Blancos in Spain’s top flight as he faces Levante at the Bernabéu.
From shipwreck to salvation?
Talk about a baptism of fire! Arbeloa’s managerial career with Real Madrid got off to an absolute shocker with that embarrassing Copa del Rey exit against Albacete. Not exactly the dream start the gaffer was hoping for, was it?
Now, 151 days after Xabi Alonso became the 48th manager to lead Madrid in LaLiga (with that 1-0 win featuring Mbappé’s penalty on August 19th), his former teammate Arbeloa steps up to the plate in the league.
Historical perspective
The bloke’s following in some serious footsteps. Madrid’s LaLiga journey began way back in February 1929 when José Quirante led the team to a 5-0 victory against Europa at the old Chamartín ground, with Lazcano bagging four goals. Proper vintage stuff, that.
Debut dangers
Arbeloa will be desperate to avoid joining a rather exclusive club at the Bernabéu:
- Only ten managers in Madrid’s history have lost their LaLiga debuts
- The last was Juande Ramos, who suffered a 2-0 defeat at Camp Nou in December 2008
- For home debuts specifically, you’d have to go all the way back to March 1991 to find a loss - when Radomir Antic’s side were stunned by Burgos
Recent run
The good news for our man is that Madrid’s recent track record for managerial debuts is absolutely bob on. The last five permanent bosses - Xabi Alonso, Solari, Lopetegui, Zidane and Ancelotti - all kicked off their LaLiga tenures with victories.
Before Ancelotti’s first stint, Mourinho had to settle for a goalless draw in Mallorca in his league opener. Arbeloa will be hoping to avoid similar frustration and join the winners’ circle tonight against a Levante side that’s never faced Madrid in a manager’s league debut.
After that Cup disaster, three points would be just what the doctor ordered to get his Madrid reign back on track. No pressure, son!