Luis Figo, a legend of both Real Madrid and Barcelona and current Betfair ambassador, believes Real Madrid must stand by Álvaro Arbeloa until the end of the season. Asked whether the club should already be thinking about appointing another coach next year, the former Ballon d’Or winner was clear: “It’s a gamble by the board and we have to support him for the remainder of the season. It’s a club decision.”

Figo also admitted that Xabi Alonso’s dismissal did not come as a major shock, given the constant speculation surrounding the coach in recent weeks. “After all the rumors that were coming out lately… it’s not such a surprise anymore,” he told Betfair.

Even so, the Portuguese legend acknowledged that the situation is negative for everyone involved. “It is undoubtedly a negative situation for everyone,” he said. What did catch him off guard was the timing of the decision, with a managerial change coming midway through the campaign. “Xabi’s dismissal is a surprise because, after all, we’re only halfway through the season. In these circumstances, you don’t expect a change of manager. Even after losing a competition. I think that’s why it is surprising.”

Beyond the defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final and the elimination from the Copa del Rey against Albacete, Figo believes the main concern should be restoring calm around the club. “The priority is to return to normal. In everything,” he stressed. “After a coach leaves, stability, in every sense, is important. Because there’s still a long way to go in the season. Madrid has two very important competitions they can win. But they need to improve in every aspect.”

Figo also drew parallels with his own experience at Real Madrid in the early 2000s, a period marked by constant changes on the bench. Between Vicente del Bosque’s departure in 2003 and Figo’s exit in 2005, the club went through four coaches in just two years, with three of them in a single season. That turbulent campaign ended with Figo leaving for Inter Milan.

“What I experienced was certainly different. I had more coaching changes in a single season,” he recalled. “A different world,” he added, clearly separating that era from the present one. Ultimately, Figo chose not to weigh in on what Madrid should do next summer: “Those in charge make the decisions, and I don’t give my opinion on what Real Madrid should do next season.”

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