Real Madrid face new player rebellion: Galacticos hit out at Arbeloa

Robin Bairner

5 Feb 2026 09:30 CST
2 min read

Real Madrid’s players are already turning against new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa just a matter of weeks after Xabi Alonso was sacked.

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Los Blancos decided to axe Alonso amid pressure from the squad. The former midfielder had a strained relationship with many star players, who were unhappy with the demands he placed on players.

Now Real Madrid’s Galacticos have turned on Arbeloa, the man who came up from Castilla to step into the Bernabeu dugout.

Arbeloa under fire already

Arbeloa has overseen six matches since replacing Alonso, claiming four victories but also presiding over the embarrassing Copa del Rey loss against Albacete.

Real Madrid’s players have been left unimpressed with their new boss – who was given the job until the summer as a minimum.

“Some players we spoke with expected more from the coaching change. They say it's about working without complaining, but they're living as if they're being trained like the Castilla team. (...) There's no tactical change,” journalist Anton Meana told Cadena SER.

More frustration at Real Madrid

More complaints were revealed by Cadena COPE journalist Miguel Angel Diaz, who revealed that Fran Garcia, in particular, wanted out during the previous transfer window.

“We have been told that, within the club, there is some unease about the constant changes in player positioning. This was evident the other day when, despite having two natural left-backs on the bench in Alvaro Carreras and Fran Garcia, Eduardo Camavinga was once again chosen to play in that role. It is something that had already become common under Carlo Ancelotti and is now also being used by Alvaro Arbeloa,” he revealed.

“That situation may help explain why Fran Garcia was considering a move away, with a transfer to Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth on the table. The deal was practically completed, with the player having already said goodbye to his teammates, but the club – and Florentino Perez in particular – ultimately blocked the operation.

“Now, attention turns to what happens next. In the event of an absence or suspension – for example, if Carreras were unavailable – it remains to be seen whether Camavinga will once again be used on the left or if Fran Garcia will be given his chance in a different scenario.”

Real Madrid face Valencia on Sunday, with fresh scrutiny over Arbeloa’s management of the team inevitable.

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