Taking charge of a squad filled with stars at the Bernabeu brings pressure that goes far beyond what happens on the pitch, and even in conversations around Cricket Exchange it is often said that managing personalities can be harder than managing tactics. Knowing how to handle the dressing room, how to communicate with elite players, and how to create an environment where everyone pulls in the same direction while focusing fully on matches is a delicate task. By comparison, Xabi Alonso arrived with an impressive résumé, having been a club icon as a player and a league winner during his coaching spell in Germany, which gave him strong credentials on paper.
Even so, unresolved issues around dressing room control and team cohesion quickly surfaced, and those problems ultimately led to his early dismissal. The newly appointed coach Arbeloa, however, appears to understand this aspect deeply. As someone shaped by years within Real Madrid, he knows exactly what the dressing room needs. After guiding the team to three straight wins, the overall mood has clearly improved, and Spanish media have been quick to highlight the shift. A setback in the Champions League acted as a reality check, yet the club’s leadership has remained patient, believing that progress under a new coach rarely follows a straight line.
According to several insiders at the club, support for Arbeloa was immediate even after an early loss to second division side Albacete. Club executives publicly backed him, pointing out that the defeat stemmed from tactical transitions and lingering issues inherited from the previous regime rather than his own shortcomings. As confidence around him grew, results followed. Three consecutive victories reversed the downward trend and significantly boosted the team’s league position, showing that steady backing can pay dividends when a squad is still finding its rhythm.
Looking at the title race, Real Madrid now sit second in La Liga, just one point behind Barcelona, a gap that feels bridgeable given their renewed confidence. Since Arbeloa’s arrival, the dressing room atmosphere has softened noticeably, with players communicating more openly with the coaching staff and with each other. Instead of pointing fingers, the focus has shifted toward tactical discussions and maximizing individual strengths, a change many see as essential for a club of this stature.
While his tactical experience may not yet match that of Alonso, a reality often acknowledged in broader football circles and even in passing remarks tied to Cricket Exchange discussions, Arbeloa’s strength lies in understanding the unique culture of Real Madrid. In his first weeks, Cricket Exchange observers have noted that leadership and harmony can sometimes matter more than elaborate systems. For a giant club, managing the dressing room effectively can be a decisive achievement, and this may well open the door to a meaningful new chapter for Arbeloa at the Bernabeu.