Álvaro Arbeloa has taken his place on the Real Madrid bench, stepping in for his close friend Xabi Alonso after the coach’s abrupt dismissal following the defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final. The former Castilla manager now assumes command of the club’s first team, doing so with a coaching staff made up of both trusted allies and figures appointed directly by the club.

The most significant change comes in the physical preparation department with the promotion of Antonio Pintus. Even before Xabi Alonso’s departure, it was already expected that the Italian fitness guru would regain influence, as doubts had grown around the work of Ismael Camenforte. Under Arbeloa, Pintus will play a central role in shaping Real Madrid’s training methodology.

Ricardo da Silva, previously Castilla’s fitness coach, joins the first team as an assistant, while Pintus also brings in his long-time collaborator Sébastien Devillaz as a second assistant.

In goalkeeping, continuity prevails. Luis Llopis remains as goalkeeping coach, a club appointment independent of Arbeloa’s arrival. Despite speculation, Diego López, Arbeloa’s former teammate and current Castilla goalkeeping coach, will not join the first-team staff.

Arbeloa has secured key positions for coaches he fully trusts. Julián Carmona continues as second coach, just as he did at Castilla, while Kevin Cardeiro Carmona also steps up as assistant coach. Francis Sánchez will be responsible for tactical and performance analysis.

On the medical side, Real Madrid have confirmed the return of Niko Mihic, who once again leads the medical department after already being present during the Super Cup. He will work alongside Felipe Segura, who had been overseeing the area until now.

Injuries have become a major concern at the club, and the reinstatement of figures such as Pintus and Mihic reflects Real Madrid’s determination to address the issue decisively. Whether this overhaul delivers results will become clear with time.

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