Madrid Coaching Change Edges Toward Crisis as Emery Emerges
A coaching gamble is already backfiring at the Bernabéu, and the fallout could accelerate a major decision on the club’s future.
Arbeloa’s Start Fails to Ignite Madrid
The decision to hand the reins to Álvaro Arbeloa is rapidly turning into a problem for Real Madrid. In less than a month, the club has already been knocked out of the Copa del Rey and now faces a steep uphill battle in the Champions League, with performances raising serious concerns inside the Bernabéu.
The sense internally is that Arbeloa’s tenure lacks momentum or long-term viability. What was meant to be a corrective move has failed to spark a reaction, and the club is already assessing alternatives as frustration grows among supporters and decision-makers alike.
Inconsistency and a Squad That Looks Unconvinced
Madrid’s performances under Arbeloa have been erratic at best. A narrow win against Villarreal offered a brief glimpse of hope, but it was quickly overshadowed by a disastrous display against Benfica, where the scoreline could easily have been far worse.
There is a growing perception that even the players are struggling to buy into the project. Arbeloa appears overwhelmed by the situation, and rather than acting as a catalyst, his appointment has only deepened the sense of drift around the team.
Unai Emery Enters the Picture
According to journalist Ramón Álvarez de Mon, Madrid’s hierarchy has already begun exploring the possibility of turning to Unai Emery. Contacts have reportedly been made to gauge the Aston Villa manager’s availability, despite the fact that he is under contract until 2029 and thriving in the Premier League.
At this stage, Emery is believed to be the strongest candidate on the table, even with high-profile names such as Jürgen Klopp and Zinedine Zidane still circulating in speculation.
Timing, Contracts and a Likely Reset
Any coaching change would likely be delayed until the end of the season, with Madrid internally prepared to write off the current campaign unless the squad stages an unlikely turnaround on its own. Emery does not have a specific release clause at Aston Villa, but English clubs have historically been open to negotiating managerial exits—usually at a significant cost.
Villa themselves paid around €6 million to secure Emery from Villarreal mid-season, a figure that underlines the financial complexity of any potential move.
Florentino Pérez’s Calculated Patience
For now, Florentino Pérez is not inclined to make another coaching change this season after already dismissing Xabi Alonso, nor is the club planning January signings to address a visibly unbalanced squad. The focus is firmly on next season’s rebuild.
That said, if results continue to deteriorate and the situation becomes untenable, Madrid are leaving the door open to decisive action. The margin for embarrassment is shrinking—and patience at the Bernabéu rarely lasts forever.
