On the whole, it has been a difficult season for Real Madrid, even if the signs are looking increasingly positive. Since the arrival of Alvaro Arbeloa, there is a better feeling surrounding the club, although the results have not changed drastically.
Because of this, many a Sportsbook will have Real Madrid as underdogs in the race for La Liga, the one competition they remain involved in. Presently, they trail Barcelona by 11 points in the league.
Since the end of the 2023-24 season, it has been a difficult time for Real Madrid. They have failed to win any major honours after the La Liga-Champions League double they secured that campaign, and as things stand, that unwanted streak will continue into 2026-27.
Whether it does or not, Real Madrid’s hierarchy will have a big decision to make regarding the future of Arbeloa. Upon replacing Xabi Alonso in January, he signed a contract until the end of the season, although there is an option for this to extended by an additional 12 months, should it be deemed acceptable.
The Real Madrid players would certainly welcome Arbeloa staying, as they are much more happy now compared to when Alonso was in charge. But the decision is not made by them – rather, it will be Florentino Perez and his board of directors that have the final say. And there is no doubt that they will not take lightly to a second season in a row without a major trophy coming home to the Bernabeu.
A happy squad is good news for Perez, but it will not play a significant role in his decision regarding Arbeloa. Real Madrid is a team that wins title, and if they go a second season without a major honour, it would be very difficult for there not to be a change of manager for the third time in 12 months.
At one stage, Real Madrid had got themselves back to the top of La Liga after Arbeloa won his first five league matches in charge, which coincided with a difficult run of form for Barcelona. However, back-to-back defeats against Osasuna and Getafe have since seen Los Blancos slip four points adrift, meaning that their fate is not in their own hands, even if they were to win El Clasico in May.
You feel that Arbeloa will need to guide Real Madrid to success in at least La Liga if he is to remain in charge beyond the end of the season. He has a squad capable of success in either competition, but whether he can manage it remains to be seen. Much will depend on whether he can win the big matches, starting with El Clasico against Barcelona next month.
Real Madrid have already started thinking about replacing Arbeloa, with the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino mentioned as possible successors. Either of them could be waiting in the wings if Perez pulls the trigger on another managerial change. But for the time being, the 43-year-old remains in control of his own destiny, as he will have chances to prove himself capable of staying on as the club’s head coach, but whether he is to do so will be completely determined by how things go between now and the end of the season in May.
