Arbeloa welcomes Mourinho's potential Real Madrid return in 2026

Real Madrid coach Arbeloa expressed happiness if Mourinho returns as manager next season.

Current coach's stance Real Madrid's head coach Álvaro Arbeloa openly shared his feelings about a possible return of José Mourinho to lead the club next season. The former Madrid player emphasized that Mourinho remains his top choice as a manager. The 63-year-old Portuguese manager is currently in final talks to take over the Bernabéu reins, 13 years after his first spell. Arbeloa, speaking ahead of the Sunday match against Sevilla, stated that Mourinho is like family to him and his return would make him very happy. ## Mourinho's ongoing negotiations José Mourinho is currently finalizing terms to become Real Madrid's new manager. The Portuguese tactician signed a two-year deal with Benfica last September but remains in high demand at Real Madrid. Club president Florentino Pérez has made it clear that Mourinho is the preferred candidate. Arbeloa's comments come at a time when Mourinho's potential appointment is generating significant attention. ## Recent struggles under Arbeloa Arbeloa took charge of Real Madrid in January following Xabi Alonso's departure from the bench. Since then, Los Blancos have failed to secure any major trophies in two consecutive seasons. The team's struggles have put additional pressure on Arbeloa's leadership. Meanwhile, Mourinho's potential return offers a fresh narrative for the club's future direction. ## Mbappé's absence sparks debate French striker Kylian Mbappé faced criticism after being left out of the starting lineup during Real Madrid's 2-0 victory over Real Oviedo. Mbappé had missed the previous two games, including El Clásico, due to a thigh injury. The World Cup winner faced disapproval from fans when he entered the pitch. An online campaign demanding Mbappé's departure gained massive traction with millions of signatures. ## Arbeloa addresses Mbappé situation Arbeloa downplayed the controversy surrounding Mbappé's omission, stating he had spoken to the player to calm him down. He acknowledged that such situations often become exaggerated in headlines but stressed that they are more common than perceived. Arbeloa drew from his own playing experience, understanding the frustrations of not being selected regularly. He emphasized that Mbappé's desire to play aligns with his own coaching philosophy.