Iván Helguera Questions Arbeloa Appointment and Warns Against Mourinho ‘Hardliner’ Approach Former Real Madrid midfielder Iván Helguera has criticized the club’s recent managerial decisions, arguing that Álvaro Arbeloa’s struggles were predictable and expressing reservations about José Mourinho’s potential return to the Bernabéu. Speaking to Flashscore, Helguera reflected on the controversy surrounding quotes from Kylian Mbappé, which he claimed were privately relayed to him by Arbeloa, who described the French forward as the team’s “fourth-choice striker.” Helguera emphasized that the situation stemmed from poor management, stating, “Everything has always been fine, Arbeloa has always been to blame. Of course, in the end it’s difficult… From a coach, Xabi Alonso, who was more demanding from the start, to zero demands regarding behavior, regarding how I’m going to manage this group. In theory, anything goes.” Helguera questioned the logic behind Arbeloa’s appointment, asserting that the coach had not yet demonstrated sufficient experience at the senior level to handle Real Madrid’s demanding role. He noted that Arbeloa had previously managed a reserve team with only five months of existence and that the transition to a top-tier squad was abrupt. “We can’t really say if he’s a good, bad, or mediocre coach. And then, suddenly, he’s managing a team like Real Madrid. So, I think it’s not just Arbeloa who has mismanaged things; I simply think he’s never faced these situations before, and he’s clearly made mistakes. Big mistakes. But those who put him there are also to blame, right?” The former Madrid player also addressed the club’s reported decision to bring back José Mourinho, acknowledging the Portuguese coach’s past success while voicing concerns about his suitability for the current moment.#real_madrid #alvaro_arbeloa #kylian_mbappe #jose_mourinho #ivan_helguera
