Álvaro ArbeloaCoach·Álvaro Arbeloa, the 43-year-old outgoing interim manager of Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid, has reportedly been rejected by Bayer LeverkusenTeam·Bayer Leverkusen after offering his services to the BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga club. The Spaniard, who is seeking a move abroad this summer, had his management actively apply for the coaching position at the 2024 double winners, according to Sport Bild.
Leverkusen's response to Arbeloa's approach was not encouraging. While the club reportedly rates Arbeloa highly and had scouted him during his tenure as a youth coach at Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid, their overall impression was deemed insufficient to entrust him with the first-team job at this juncture. Bayer's hierarchy expressed a lack of "the conviction that Arbeloa has progressed far enough in his development as a coach to be able to lead the Leverkusen team straight back to the top."
Arbeloa's departure from Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid was confirmed shortly before the season's end, with José MourinhoCoach·José Mourinho, 63, from BenficaTeam·Benfica, designated as his successor. Arbeloa took charge of Real's first team in January 2026, replacing Xabi AlonsoCoach·Xabi Alonso, who was dismissed following a Spanish Super Cup loss to BarcelonaTeam·Barcelona. Under Arbeloa's four-month tenure, Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid finished second in La LigaCompetition·La Liga and endured a trophyless campaign, exiting the Copa del ReyCompetition·Copa del Rey against second-division side AlbaceteTeam·Albacete and the UEFA Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League in the quarter-finals against Bayern MunichTeam·Bayern Munich. His record as Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid's head coach stands at 28 games, with 18 wins, 2 draws, and 8 defeats, yielding a goal difference of 58:34 and an average of 2.0 points per game.
Bayer LeverkusenTeam·Bayer Leverkusen's search for a new manager has proven complex. Current coach Kasper HjulmandCoach·Kasper Hjulmand, 54, is reportedly set to be sacked despite a contract until 2027, following the club's failure to secure UEFA Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League qualification. Sporting directors Fernando CaroCoach·Fernando Caro, 61, and Simon Rolfes, 44, have encountered several obstacles in their pursuit of a successor.
Their initial top target, Andoni Iraola, 43, who is departing AFC BournemouthTeam·AFC Bournemouth after three successful years, has reportedly become LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool's primary candidate following the weekend sacking of Arne SlotCoach·Arne Slot. An agreement between Iraola and LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool is reportedly in place, with an official announcement anticipated soon. This development also saw Filipe LuisPlayer·Filipe Luis, a former Atlético defender linked with Leverkusen, opt for AS MonacoTeam·Monaco instead. MonacoTeam·Monaco's decision was partly influenced by Luis's lack of a UEFA Pro Licence, which would incur a €25,000 fine per match without special dispensation.
Other candidates have also seemingly moved in different directions. Oliver Glasner, 51, who is leaving Crystal PalaceTeam·Crystal Palace, is said to prefer discussions with AC MilanTeam·AC Milan over a return to the BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga, while Michel, 50, is reportedly moving from GironaTeam·Girona to AjaxTeam·Ajax Amsterdam.
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the managerial position is now complicating negotiations for potential player acquisitions. Leverkusen is actively pursuing Kennet EichhornPlayer·Kennet Eichhorn, a 16-year-old prodigy from Hertha BSCTeam·Hertha BSC. According to kicker, Bayer initially had "good chances" of securing his signature, but these prospects are diminishing as the coaching vacancy persists. The uncertainty is described as a "deal-breaker," with Eichhorn unwilling to commit to a club that has yet to name its future head coach. Carro and Rolfes are under considerable pressure to announce a new head coach for the coming season before the end of the week, highlighting the urgency of their situation.
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