Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa openly spoke about his potential replacement in a press conference before taking on Sevilla as he said, “I don’t understand the whole “unruly locker room” thing; I don’t agree with it. The day the club makes a decision about next season’s coach, they’ll do so when they deem it appropriate. For me, as a player and a Madridista, Mourinho is number one. I thought that a month ago, and I’ll continue to think it. He is and always will be ‘one of us.’ If he’s here next season, I’ll be very happy to see him here at home.”
Arbeloa on Sevilla
Sevilla has won its last three games; they’re doing really well under Luis García. He’s managed to turn the team around. The Pizjuán is always exciting for us because of the atmosphere that builds up when Madrid plays there. They have one of the best fan bases in Spain. It’s going to be a tough battle once again.
Arbeloa on Mbappé
“I was just coming up here and I just saw him. I told him to stay calm, that I’d take care of it. I understand that these things can make the news. Everything he said, we’d already discussed before; I take it more in stride. I understand how players feel when they don’t play. Kylian wasn’t happy the other day, and I like that. For me, it’s something much more normal than what’s been made of it. The best thing would have been for him to play a bit in the second half; perhaps without tomorrow’s match, the situation would have been different. But that’s all. I take what’s happened these past few days in stride. My relationship with Mbappé remains the same.”
Arbeloa on whether it bothered him
“Whenever I talk to the players, I’m not afraid that they might share any of the conversations we’ve had. When I speak privately, I like it to stay private, but it doesn’t bother me if it’s discussed. I spoke with him before the match, and as I told you then, no problem.”
Arbeloa on his time in charge
“I started out as a coach in the third tier, and I’m leaving as a first division coach who has managed Champions League matches. For me, these past four months have been a great experience and a learning curve. Standing in front of you all has also been a master class. I’ll be leaving with a clear conscience.”
Arbeloa on how he’ll be remembered
“Real Madrid has millions of fans, and some will agree more than others. I feel the fans’ affection. I’m 43 years old, and I’ve spent 20 of them at Real Madrid. That’s a long time at what I consider my home.”
Arbeloa on the hardest part of his time in charge
“The hardest part at this club is always when you don’t win. That’s what hurts me the most, not having helped the players win titles: because of the high expectations we face, because of the hopes of so many people resting on our shoulders.”
