MADRID (AP) — Álvaro Arbeloa will not try to become Real Madrid’s new Jose Mourinho.
The former player spoke publicly for the first time as Madrid’s new manager on Tuesday, saying that although he was heavily influenced by Mourinho, he wanted to instill his own style in his first major coaching job.
Arbeloa was the manager of Madrid’s B team. announced He was appointed as the club’s new manager on Monday, replacing Xabi Alonso after a tumultuous eight months in charge.
Arbeloa played under Mourinho at Madrid in the early 2010s and admits he has been heavily influenced by the Portuguese manager.
“I knew this question would come up,” Arbeloa said in his first press conference as Madrid’s main manager. “It was an honor to be under his tutelage. He had a big influence on me, but I will always be Alvaro Arbeloa. I’ve never been afraid of failure, but if I tried to be Mourinho, I would fail spectacularly.”
Arbeloa said he had not spoken to Mourinho since he took over as manager. He has said in the past that he has always been outspoken, unafraid to show a strong personality and tried to be as much like Mourinho as possible.
Coach Arbeloa said he wants to focus on his players.
“I want them to express themselves, enjoy themselves on the pitch and be happy,” he said. “Wearing this shield is the best thing that can happen in life and it is a great privilege for everyone. We need the ambition and desire to win every title, because that is what this shield requires.”
On what he described as a “special day”, Arbeloa spoke about his friendship with Alonso, his former teammate at Madrid, Liverpool and Spain, and said he was lucky to have Vinicius Junior in his squad.
Alonso and Vinicius have had public arguments, with the Brazilian forward often complaining after being replaced by his former manager.
“We are lucky to have Vinicius, one of the most game-breaking players in the world and loved by all Madrid fans,” said Arbeloa. “I want to see Vinicius smiling, having fun and dancing.”
Arbeloa said he was not worried about having to manage egos in a squad that also includes Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
“That’s not a concern for me,” he said. “They are not only great professionals, but also good guys and keen to do things right. No one wants Real Madrid to win more than the players.”
Arbeloa said he spoke to his “friend” Alonso on Monday.
“We have friendship more than anything,” Arbeloa said. “I wished him the best and he did the same for me. He’s a great coach and I’m sure he has a great future ahead of him.”
Arbeloa has been at Madrid for 20 years and is thought to be close to club president Florentino Perez. Asked if he could do that in an interim role, Arbeloa said he intended to stay in the job for as long as Madrid wanted him to stay.
Manager Jurgen Klopp, who has been touted by some as Madrid’s summer target, told Red Bull’s Austrian broadcaster Servas TV late on Monday that Alonso’s departure had “nothing to do with me” and that he was “in the right place” in his role as manager at the Red Bull club.
At the halfway point in La Liga, Madrid had beaten Barcelona by four points, and Arbeloa was set to take over. The club is in seventh place in the league stage of the Champions League.
The team’s next match will be on Wednesday against Albacete in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.
Alonso’s farewell
Alonso made his first public comments on Tuesday, saying he wished things had turned out differently. He did not mention Perez in it. farewell message on instagram.
“This professional stage is over. It didn’t go the way we had hoped,” Alonso said. “Being the coach of Real Madrid is both an honor and a responsibility. I would like to thank the club, the players and above all the Madrid fans for their trust and support. I leave with respect, gratitude and pride for having given my best.”
Madrid announced that Alonso has left the club by mutual consent. The departure came a day after Madrid lost 3-2 to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.
Alonso arrived in May last year with high hopes as a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti. pressure is applied The team struggled to play well under his direction. Extensive media reports said he had lost control of the locker room.
Most of the players posted messages thanking Alonso and wishing him luck. Vinicius was not among those who immediately publicly bid farewell to the coach.
Alonso was in charge of Madrid in 34 games in all competitions, with 24 wins, six losses and four draws.
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