News Focus
- Alvaro Arbeloa expected to depart Real Madrid when the season concludes
- Aston Villa’s Unai Emery features prominently on the club’s managerial shortlist
- Jose Mourinho remains the favourite to return to the Bernabeu
- Emery is tied to Villa Park until 2029 but holds interest in the Spanish giants
Alvaro Arbeloa looks set to leave his post as Real Madrid head coach once the current term ends. The Spanish giants are now drawing up a list of possible replacements to take charge at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Jose Mourinho appears to lead the race for the position. The Portuguese tactician currently manages Benfica and holds a release clause for the final 12 months of his deal in Lisbon. Reports suggest club president Florentino Perez favours bringing Mourinho back to the capital, which would put him in a strong position to secure the role.
However, Mourinho faces stiff competition from the Premier League. Aston Villa manager Unai Emery remains a serious option for the board. The Basque coach has a contract with the Midlands club until 2029, yet sources indicate he would find the prospect of leading Real Madrid highly appealing.
Several other names have surfaced in connection with the vacancy. France national team boss Didier Deschamps will step down after the 2026 World Cup, while USA coach Mauricio Pochettino has also emerged as a candidate. Massimiliano Allegri of AC Milan has further been mentioned, having previously spoken with the club about the role in 2022.
Emery boasts an impressive record in European competitions, which carries significant weight at the Bernabeu. He speaks fluent Spanish and knows La Liga well from his time in the country. Yet his spells at Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain showed difficulties managing high-profile stars, a crucial factor at a club like Real Madrid.