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Alvaro Arbeloa may remain as Real Madrid manager despite the team's Champions League exit to Bayern Munich. His rapport with the dressing room has reportedly influenced some board members to consider retaining him for the next season.
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Alvaro Arbeloa given hope of staying on as Real Madrid manager despite Champions League exit
In the last 24 hours, there has been much focus on Alvaro Arbeloa’s future as Real Madrid manager, following the club’s Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
It’s been taken for granted that Arbeloa will not be kept on, having failed to deliver a trophy since taking over from Xabi Alonso in January – they are mathematically still in the La Liga title race, but they trail Barcelona by nine points with seven matches to go. However, there could now be hope for the former Real Madrid player that he remains in charge at the Bernabeu.
According to RTVE (via MD), Arbeloa has convinced the Real Madrid dressing room with his ideas, which in turn, has convinced some of the club’s board that he deserves to start the 2026-27 season as manager.
Although it has been a difficult period for Real Madrid in terms of results, the fact that Arbeloa has built a strong bond with his players, coupled with his regular use of La Fabrica talents, has meant that he has chances to have his contract renewed before it expires in June.
While it is all well and good that Arbeloa has a good bond with the Real Madrid dressing room, that has not had much of an effect on results on the pitch – which is by far the biggest thing that Florentino Perez and co will look at when deciding whether or not to make another managerial change.
His future is uncertain due to the team's Champions League exit and lack of trophies since he took over in January.
His ability to convince the dressing room and some board members about his managerial ideas could lead to him staying on for the 2026-27 season.
Real Madrid is currently nine points behind Barcelona with seven matches left in the La Liga season.

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Arbeloa oversaw a demoralising Copa del Rey exit at the hands of Albacete, as well as a number of damning La Liga defeats to the likes of Osasuna and Getafe. The Champions League exit is likely to be the final straw, given that they have little to no chance of reeling in Barcelona before the domestic season ends.
Taking this into account, it would be a major surprise if Arbeloa is kept on. The players may well welcome the move, but the likelihood is that the Real Madrid supporters would not be pleased.