Carlo Ancelotti has backed former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa to one day manage Real Madrid.
Arbeloa is a cult hero in Madrid, having racked up over 200 appearances for them after leaving Liverpool in 2009. Now retired, the 40-year-old is currently coaching Los Blancos’ U19’s side.
And according to Ancelotti, that could be a mere step on Arbeloa’s path to the very top. In quotes from Spanish outlet EFE, the Madrid boss says he wishes the former right-back – as well as Xabi Alonso and Raul – to one day be sitting in his seat.
“I have had Alonso as a player, he had a high-level knowledge of football and he is doing very well with Bayer Leverkusen,” began the 64-year-old. “He has reading [of the game] and ability. I wish him that one day, like Raul or Arbeloa, they will be coaches of Real Madrid.
“They are people I know, I love them very much and hopefully they can be coaches of Real Madrid.”
Ancelotti gives Arbeloa
Obviously, given the way Alonso has begun his senior management career, the former Liverpool No.14 is the leading candidate for Madrid here.
There were even claims last night that the Spanish giants have already decided that Xabi will take over from Ancelotti next summer.
If that does come true, it will be a disappointment to Liverpool fans. Although of course very happy with Jurgen Klopp, Alonso has the look of an ideal successor in 2026.
A move to Madrid at this stage may not rule that out, but it will perhaps make it more unlikely to happen.
As a result, Ancelotti’s comments on Arbeloa should interest Reds supporters. He didn’t make anything like the impact Alonso did at Anfield, but the World Cup winner was still a very handy player in a very good Liverpool team.
Should he make the step into senior coaching somewhere and do well, then Arbeloa should be on the Reds’ radar.
A long way to go for him of course, but certainly one to keep in the back of the mind.
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