Real Madrid\u2019s exit from the Champions League on Wednesday night all but confirmed \u00c1lvaro Arbeloa\u2019s precarious position as head coach. Appointed in January after Xabi Alonso\u2019s mid-season dismissal, Arbeloa has not been able to arrest a slide that included an early Copa del Rey exit to Albacete and a widening La Liga deficit, with Barcelona nine points clear and seven games remaining.<\/p>\n
Arbeloa accepted responsibility after the elimination, telling reporters: “I am the one responsible for the defeats and I will always take the consequences from that.<\/p>\n
“We feel really upset, really angry, really disappointed. This felt like a defining game in our season.” Reports now indicate he will see out 2025\u201326 but be replaced before the 2026\u201327 campaign.<\/p>\n
Below are the nine names most often linked with the Bernab\u00e9u job, with short notes and the likelihood figures that have circulated.<\/p>\n
1) Jos\u00e9 Mourinho (Likelihood: 1\/10). A former Madrid manager with one La Liga and one Copa del Rey between 2010 and 2013. Any chance of reunion was damaged by his conduct in the ill-tempered Benfica-Madrid Champions League tie this season, when he appeared to defend Gianluca Prestianni amid accusations involving Vinicius Junior.<\/p>\n
2) Manuel Gir\u00e1ldez (Likelihood: 2\/10). The 38-year-old has impressed since taking charge of Celta Vigo in March 2024, leading them to the Europa League quarterfinals and a push for European qualification. He is under contract until 2028 and made one appearance for Real Madrid B as a fullback.<\/p>\n
3) Andoni Iraola (Likelihood: 3\/10). Having announced his departure from Bournemouth this summer, Iraola\u2019s work at Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth has been noted, despite selling players such as Dean Huijsen for profit.<\/p>\n
4) Ra\u00fal (Likelihood: 4\/10). Spent six years coaching Real Madrid B, quit last summer after being overlooked for the first team, and said he would return one day “when the time is right.” He scored 71 Champions League goals as a player.<\/p>\n
5) Zinedine Zidane (Likelihood: 5\/10). Linked with a third spell after his extraordinary three consecutive Champions League wins; reports suggest he may await the France job after Didier Deschamps.<\/p>\n
6) Unai Emery (Likelihood: 5.5\/10). Credited with transforming Aston Villa since 2022, though his record at the very top is debated. He previously worked with Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 at Paris Saint-Germain.<\/p>\n
7) J\u00fcrgen Klopp (Likelihood: 6\/10). Perennial Madrid-linked name; he left Liverpool in 2024 citing exhaustion and his interest or readiness remains uncertain.<\/p>\n
8) Mauricio Pochettino (Likelihood: 7\/10). The USMNT coach is reportedly highly regarded by Florentino P\u00e9rez; his contract runs until after the World Cup and he “has previously said he would be open to staying beyond the tournament.” He led Tottenham to the 2019 Champions League final.<\/p>\n
9) Didier Deschamps (Likelihood: 7.5\/10). France coach since 2012, World Cup winner in 2018, 2022 finalist and 2016 European Championships finalist; his contract also ends after the summer World Cup.<\/p>\n
Whoever is appointed will inherit a squad Alonso reportedly deemed “impossible to coach,” and a 2025\u201326 season that now looks likely to be a second successive campaign without a major trophy for the club.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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