Arbeloa vows to fight for everything as Real Madrid manager

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Soccer Football - Copa del Rey - Round of 16 - Real Madrid Press Conference - Ciudad Real Madrid, Madrid, Spain - January 13, 2026 Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa during the press conference REUTERS/Susana Vera

MADRID, Jan 13 - Real Madrids new manager Alvaro Arbeloa pledged to fight for everything as he stepped into the role vacated by Xabi Alonso and said he would stay in post as long as he was needed.

Real announced Alonso had left the club by mutual agreement on Monday, following a poor run of form and reports of unrest with some of his senior players.

The 42-year-old Arbeloa stepped up in his place from reserve team Real Madrid Castilla and inherits a side trailing Barcelona by four points in LaLiga and reeling from a 3-2 defeat in Sundays Spanish Super Cup final.

Of course, I am aware of the responsibility and the task ahead of me, and I am very excited, Arbeloa told a press conference on Tuesday. Ive found a group of players who are really eager... They share my enthusiasm to fight for everything and to win.

Arbeloa, who has been part of Real Madrids coaching structure since 2020, faces a swift baptism of fire with only one training session before Wednesdays Copa del Rey round of 16 clash against second-division Albacete.

The former right back, who played 238 matches for Real from 2009 to 2016 and won eight trophies, including two