Real Madrid: former Barça player slams Alvaro Arbeloa appointment

Europe 14 January 2026 at 10:19

Joshua SOSSOU

News Editor

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A former FC Barcelona player is not pleased with Alvaro Arbeloa's appointment as Xabi Alonso's replacement.

Asked about Xabi Alonso's dismissal from the Real Madrid bench, Oscar Garcia did not mince his words regarding the Madrid club's decision. The ex-Barcelona player openly questioned the appointment of Alvaro Arbeloa. He believes the young coach does not offer the necessary assurances to succeed his predecessor.

"Tactically, from the little I've seen of Castilla, he's not even fit to lace Xabi Alonso's boots. He wants to be like Mourinho, and the only reason he's Real Madrid's coach today is because all he does is talk about Mourinho," the former Saint-Étienne manager told Catalunya Radio.

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