Real Madrid's elimination from the Champions League by Bayern Munich is anticipated to trigger a period of significant upheaval at the club, potentially starting with the position of head coach Alvaro Arbeloa. Arbeloa, who was appointed in January, replacing Xabi Alonso, may face dismissal due to the nature of managing Madrid, despite the possibility of him continuing in the role until the end of the season. The recent 4-3 defeat and 6-4 aggregate loss to Bayern Munich means Madrid are likely to finish the season without a major trophy, similar to the previous campaign.
Under President Florentino Perez, only one manager who ended a season without a major title has returned for the following campaign, which was Zinedine Zidane. Therefore, it would not be surprising if Arbeloa is the next to leave. The club's mythology dictates that failure will not be taken lightly, and the manager and coaching staff are often held responsible. Several sources suggest that significant changes are needed at the club, including the potential appointment of a new director of football and adjustments to the sporting structure.
The coming weeks are expected to bring more clarity on the situation, but potential changes at Madrid go beyond Arbeloa's position as head coach, with the squad requiring a rebuild and the need for harmony among big-name players. The club is considering various candidates to replace Arbeloa, including Jurgen Klopp, Zinedine Zidane, and Mauricio Pochettino, although nothing has been confirmed. The general feeling within the industry is that changes at every level at Madrid cannot be ruled out, with a training ground source speaking of 'confusion among the staff' due to rumors of potential changes affecting the board, coach, medical team, physios, and players.