- A former Liverpool defender is reportedly in line for a new role at Real Madrid
- He replaces Madrid icon Raul, who is stepping down from this role after six years
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A former Liverpool defender is reportedly set to take on a key role at European heavyweights Real Madrid.
According to messages from Spain Los Blancos icon Raul, who made more than 740 appearances for the club, will step down from his role as manager of Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s second team, at the end of the season.
Raul has held the position for more than six years, but Marca claim he hopes to secure a role in Madrid’s first team or take on a technical role with Madrid’s youth teams.
Marca reports that Real Madrid have wasted little time in finding a replacement for Raul, with Alvaro Arbeloa taking over.
Arbeloa, who made 98 appearances for Liverpool from 2006 to 2009, is already part of Madrid’s youth academy, having coached Juvenil A, better known as their under-19 players, since 2022.
Real Madrid icon Raul will reportedly step down from his role as manager of the club’s second team
Raul has been in charge of Real Madrid Castilla for over six years, but it appears he will remain at the club
Former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa has reportedly agreed to replace Raul in his role
The 41-year-old will also come face to face with his old side on November 27 when Madrid Under-19s take on Liverpool in the UEFA Youth League.
Under Arbeloa, the team has beaten VfB Stuttgart 1-0 in the league, but, like their senior side, lost to Lille on October 2.
The team is 17th in the UEFA Youth League rankings.
Arbeloa began his coaching career in Madrid in September 2020 when he took charge of the club’s under-14 side.
During his time at Liverpool, Arbeloa helped the club finish third, fourth and second, but unfortunately failed to win any silverware.
He came frustratingly close when the Reds finished second in the 2006/07 Champions League and reached the semi-finals of the same tournament the following year.
However, it didn’t take long for him to add to his trophy cabinet when he moved to Real Madrid in 2009, the club where he started his professional career.
Arbeloa helped Madrid win LaLiga in 2011/2012 and the Copa Del Ray in 2011 and 2014.
Arbeloa joined Liverpool in 2006 after just one season at Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna
The 41-year-old played 98 games for Liverpool and scored just two goals
Arbeloa secured a return to Real Madrid in 2009, where he made 233 appearances
The right-back also played a key role in helping Madrid win the Champions League in 2014 and 2016 before leaving for West Ham United in 2016.
But his highlight in football was helping Spain win the World Cup in 2010.
His only on-field contribution during the tournament was a 13-minute cameo in a group match against Honduras, which Spain won 2–0.
