Shadows of a Debut: Arbeloa's Real Madrid Start Ends in Cup Shock
14 January 2026
Albacete shakes Real Madrid's throne
Madrid's first test under Arbeloa
Alvaro Arbeloa began his Real Madrid tenure by entering through the back door, as the defending champions were edged 3-2 by Albacete at the Carlos Belmonte in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 for the 2025-26 season.
A rough start for the new boss
Real Madrid opened under fresh leadership after naming Arbeloa as head coach, replacing Xabi Alonso, who left after the 2026 Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona, 3-2.
Arbeloa's debut was a disappointment for Madrid fans, with the team failing to overcome Albacete and exiting the Copa del Rey at the first hurdle, marking the first official test for the new manager at the helm.
Analysts weigh in
Mister Chip noted the harsh start, tweeting that coaches who began their Real Madrid tenure with a trophyless first appearance include Gus Hiddink (losing the European Super Cup to Chelsea in his debut) and Julen Lopetegui (losing the European Super Cup to Atletico Madrid in his first game), and now Arbeloa.
Stats Foot, a site that specializes in football stats, added that Arbeloa is the first Madrid boss to lose his first official match since Lopetegui in 2018, who lasted 14 official games before his dismissal.
Punchline: If first impressions counted as trophies, Arbeloa would already have a shelf full of gold.
Punchline: Relax, Madrid fans—the trophy cabinet is only on a brief diet of dust and shelf rearrangement.
