Image Credits: Imago Images
Alvaro Arbeloa has taken full responsibility for Real Madrid’s disappointing 2-1 defeat to Mallorca, as pressure continues to mount on the newly appointed head coach.
The former Liverpool defender, who stepped into the role earlier this year, did not shy away from the result, openly admitting that the loss was down to his decisions on the touchline.
Alvaro Arbeloa, appointed Real Madrid head coach in January 2026, has faced immediate scrutiny following his team’s 2-1 loss to Mallorca at Son Moix.
Arbeloa’s promotion came after the club parted ways with Xabi Alonso, another Liverpool legend, in the wake of a 3–2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana.
Having managed Real Madrid Castilla, Arbeloa now oversees a first team navigating both domestic and European pressures.
Before coaching, Arbeloa was a key figure at Liverpool between 2007 and 2009, known as the “silent hero” in Rafa Benítez’s squad.
Versatile and reliable, he famously played at left-back to neutralize Lionel Messi in a Champions League victory at the Camp Nou.
His Liverpool career included 98 appearances, 2 goals, 4 assists, and 30 clean sheets, forming part of the 2008/09 side that finished second in the Premier League with 86 points.
Alonso’s exit from Madrid has fueled talk of a return to Liverpool, especially as manager Arne Slot’s position comes under pressure following today’s 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester City.
Slot described the collapse as “unacceptable,” and Liverpool now sits fifth in the Premier League, nine points behind City.
Reports suggest Alonso could be the ideal replacement if results do not improve, particularly with a critical Champions League tie looming.
Arbeloa was forthright in his post-match press conference.
“The tricky thing is getting the players to understand that without giving 200% we weren’t going to win,” he said.
On responsibility, he made it clear, “No, no. This defeat is mine, entirely and absolutely mine.”
“What I need from them is for them to already be thinking about Tuesday’s game. ”
“When they leave the locker room, this game is already over for them.”
“I’m the one who makes the decisions, the one who picks the lineup, the one who makes the substitutions, the one who chooses how we have to play, and this defeat belongs entirely to the Real Madrid coach.”
“I need my players to believe in winning Tuesday’s game, that crucial Champions League match we have, a competition that is extremely important to us.”
“So when they leave the locker room, they only have to think about Bayern.”
Reflecting on the performance, Arbeloa admitted, “It was probably the context, the anxiety of being behind on the scoreboard, the patience we needed… They closed down the spaces more and had more energy once they had the lead.”
‘We lacked both that patience and what we’d worked on during the week: being able to turn them around and create more one-on-one situations on the wings.”
“We were missing many things in the second half. We needed a second half with more energy and clearer thinking.”
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.