Jose Mourinho’s glowing assessment of Trent Alexander-Arnold has resurfaced as he emerges as Real Madrid's favorite candidate to take over from Alvaro Arbeloa
15:47, 28 Apr 2026
MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 15: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid CF looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Real Madrid CF at Football Arena Munich on April 15, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Agyeman / Europa Press Sports via Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho has previously spoken highly about Trent Alexander-Arnold(Image: Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho's verdict on Trent Alexander-Arnold has resurfaced, with the Portuguese coach said to be Real Madrid president Florentino Perez's favorite to replace Álvaro Arbeloa.
Arbeloa, who was appointed in January to replace the dismissed Xabi Alonso, is now expected to leave his role at the end of the season. According to The Athletic, the decision over the next Los Blancos head coach is being heavily influenced by Perez in a bid to reset the club after a second consecutive trophyless season.
A return to the Bernabeu would reunite Mourinho and Perez, whose previous spell together between 2010 and 2013 delivered three trophies, including a record-breaking La Liga title in 2011–12. Mourinho’s stint in Madrid fell short of a Champions League triumph. Meanwhile, Alonso has been shortlisted for the Chelsea job.
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Should Mourinho return to Madrid this summer, it would be Alexander-Arnold's third manager in just over a year since he joined the club. Alexander-Arnold’s spell at Real Madrid has been mixed, with the 27-year-old recording five assists in 26 appearances across all competitions. Now established as the club’s first-choice right-back, his season has also been disrupted by hamstring and thigh injuries, which have contributed to inconsistent form.
In 2019, Mourinho praised the England international alongside his former full-back partner, Andy Robertson. The duo was among Liverpool’s standout performers during Jurgen Klopp's tenure.
During the 2019/20 campaign in which the Reds secured their sixth European title, they registered an impressive 29 assists in 88 combined appearances across all competitions.
Mourinho was full of praise for the duo, highlighting their mentality and presence on the pitch. He described both players as possessing a “good arrogance,” combined with aggression and “amazing character,” underlining the traits he believes set them apart at the highest level.
Head Coach Jose Mourinho of SL Benfica during the Liga Portugal Betclic match between Benfica and Aves
Mourinho's could potentially return to Real Madrid(Image: (Photo by Joao Rico/Icon Sport via Getty Images))
“The two full-backs also have to be Liverpool players, amazing players, Alexander-Arnold and Robertson. Amazing character and personality," said the former Chelsea manager.
"Alexander-Arnold is a local boy, Robertson is a Scottish boy that a few years ago was relegated with Hull City."
He added: "And both they are physical, they are aggressive, they are what I call in football ‘the good arrogance’, they are not afraid to play, they go forward, they participate in attack.”
On Alexander Arnold's impact this season, Arbeloa said: "Trent Alexander-Arnold is showing a great level. His performance is beyond doubt. Right now he deserves to play, and when he hasn't played, Carvajal has done well.
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"I'm not a coach to gift a minute to anyone."
Arbeloa has backed Alexander-Arnold as a key figure in the squad, insisting his selections are based on trust and the belief that each player can influence results.
The former Liverpool defender also emphasized that despite relatively modest La Liga numbers, his impact in build-up play and chance creation has been crucial for Real Madrid, underlining his importance to the team’s overall structure and attacking output.