In numbers: Arbeloa’s record at Real Madrid worse than Xabi Alonso

Alvaro Arbeloa took over as Real Madrid’s first team manager in January after the team lost to Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in what appeared to be a spontaneous decision by the board to part ways either Xabi Alonso.

After all, there was serious internal turmoil at the club with Alonso in charge as several players did not like his strict approach and idea of placing the team ahead of individual superstars.

Arbeloa, in that sense, has improved the unrest in the dressing room and has won over the players with his diplomatic approach. The results, however, speak a completely different story.

Worse than Alonso

Indeed, Real Madrid’s numbers under Arbeloa are nothing to boast of and are worse than the team’s record under Alonso by quite some distance.

With Alonso in charge, Real Madrid were alive in the Copa del Rey, comfortably placed for a top-eight finish in the UEFA Champions League and behind Barcelona in La Liga.

Not good enough. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Under Arbeloa, they were eliminated from the cup by Albacete, dropped out of the top eight in the Champions League and played the playoff round and continue to be behind Barcelona in La Liga.

The team played 28 games under Alonso’s charge and had a record of 20 wins, three draws and four defeats. They lost only 17.86% of their games with the club’s midfield legend at the helm.

Under his successor, however, Los Blancos have lost four times and won eight games of a total of twelve matches, leaving them at a poorer loss percentage of 33%. 

Further, they recently lost two straight league games to Osasuna and Getafe – something they have not faced since 2019.

Doubts around Arbeloa are growing, and it is appalling that there is not half the talk of a sacking as there was in Alonso’s time who had a significantly better record.

It only goes to show how the board bends to the dressing room’s word, painting a poor picture of the club.