Álvaro Arbeloa's time on the Real Madrid bench has been characterized by a notable lack of authority and prestige. The coach from Salamanca, known for his "Spartan" character as a player, has failed to translate that strength into his coaching role. According to club sources, his priority has been to remain in the background, avoiding conflicts with players and not displeasing the board led by Florentino Pérez.

From the outset, the dressing room did not take Arbeloa seriously, viewing him as a "servant of the president." His initial statements, full of praise for the players, confirmed this perception, labeling him "Florentino's snitch." Instead of managing the squad, Arbeloa reportedly opted for a submissive attitude, allowing players to self-manage and avoiding any form of reprimand or firm discipline.

The team's sporting decline, culminating in a disastrous end to the season, has exposed the charade of this situation. Players have openly defied Arbeloa's authority, creating a toxic environment that ultimately doomed the coach. Despite late attempts to point fingers at the players, the situation had already become irreversible.

Arbeloa, who attempted to emulate both Carlo Ancelotti's and José Mourinho's styles depending on the circumstances, will pack his bags after the match against Athletic. His record includes 27 games, with 8 wins, 2 draws, and 17 losses. His coaching career seems more geared towards "putting out fires" in lower divisions than managing top-tier clubs. The only notable legacy might be the emergence of some academy players, whose careers appear to have been cut short by direct decisions from Florentino Pérez, decisions that Arbeloa complied with.

Arbeloa departs without leaving a significant mark on the madridismo fanbase, beyond defending a dressing room that treated him like a mere puppet. His management, marked by a fear of causing offense and subservience to the board, did not prioritize what happened on the pitch, leaving a sense of fiasco.