Iván Helguera Slams Real Madrid Over Arbeloa Appointment and Expresses Doubt Over José Mourinho’s Return

Former Real Madrid and Spain international defender Iván Helguera has delivered a pointed assessment of the managerial upheaval at the club, laying blame on both Álvaro Arbeloa and the board members who sanctioned his appointment, while also casting doubt on the reported return of José Mourinho.

Helguera, who won the Champions League twice during his time at Real Madrid, directed his criticism at what he described as a collapse in standards following the coaching transition that preceded Arbeloa’s stint in charge. “How did we get here? It’s because things weren’t managed well from the start,” he said. “You go from a coach like Xabi Alonso, who was demanding from day one, to suddenly having zero demands in terms of behaviour and group management. Everything was allowed. Arbeloa, in my opinion, is very much at fault — but so is the person who put him there.”

The former centre-back argued that Arbeloa was wholly underprepared for the demands of managing one of football’s most scrutinised dressing rooms. Prior to his appointment at the Bernabéu, Arbeloa had spent only five months in charge of Real Madrid’s reserve side, a tenure Helguera described as underwhelming. “He was coaching a reserve team for five months, and it wasn’t even going that well,” Helguera added. “And suddenly he’s managing Real Madrid. He made a lot of mistakes. But again, so did the people who appointed him.”

Arbeloa’s path to the senior role was unconventional by the standards typically associated with top-level European football management. The former Spain right-back, who made over 160 appearances for Real Madrid as a player, had limited coaching experience before being handed the reins at one of the world’s biggest clubs, a decision that Helguera believes has directly contributed to the dysfunction currently affecting the squad.

With reports widely confirming that José Mourinho is set to return to Real Madrid for a second spell — having previously managed the club between 2010 and 2013, winning one La Liga title and reaching the Champions League semi-finals — Helguera expressed measured scepticism rather than outright opposition. The three-time La Liga winner acknowledged Mourinho’s historical credentials but questioned the relevance of his track record given the years he has spent away from elite club management.

“Mou was a great coach, but the truth is he hasn’t coached at the top level for many years. That worries me,” Helguera cautioned. “What matters is managing the group well. I’m not sure he’s the right fit right now. Real Madrid is serious, competitive, and built on values. Winning is essential, but not at any cost. You can’t just go all-in on discipline and forget everything else.”

Helguera indicated he would have preferred Jürgen Klopp, the former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager, as an alternative appointment, though he stopped short of elaborating on his reasoning. Mourinho’s last senior managerial role before the reported Real Madrid agreement was with Fenerbahçe in Turkey, a position he departed in 2025. His previous high-profile appointments include stints at Chelsea, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Roma.

According to reports, Mourinho is set to sign a contract to take charge of Real Madrid for the second time, with the task of restoring cohesion to a squad that has been described as deeply fractured. The challenge facing any incoming manager will be significant — reintegrating unsettled players, restoring a winning culture, and meeting the considerable expectations that accompany the role at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Helguera’s comments reflect a broader unease among figures associated with the club regarding the direction of recent decision-making. Whether Mourinho’s appointment, once formalised, will prove to be the corrective measure Real Madrid’s board are banking on remains to be seen.