Helguera points to Arbeloa: “He is very much to blame – and so is the person who put him there”

Iván Helguera knows the tricks of the trade in Madrid. The former defender and midfielder wore the Real Madrid shirt for eight seasons (1999–2007), played more than 200 games and won three national titles and the Champions League twice. In conversation with the Flashscore platform, the 51-year-old Cantabrian examines the situation surrounding Álvaro Arbeloa and expresses doubts about a possible return of José Mourinho.

Helguera does not understand the leap Arbeloa has made. "Arbeloa had only been with a branch team for five months and from one moment to the next... Things didn't really go well there. We don't know whether he is good, bad or average as a coach. And then you suddenly have to manage a dressing room like that of Real Madrid. It's logical that things go wrong if you've never experienced that before," he says. “Under my eyes, Arbeloa is very much to blame, but so is the person who put him there.”

According to Helguera, the unrest can partly be traced to poor group dynamics and discipline. In that light, he refers to Kylian Mbappé's recent statement (“I am the fourth attacker”), which caused a stir. "What allowed this to happen? That is because there was not good management before," said Helguera, who draws a contrast with the higher demands that previously applied under Xabi Alonso. “If in theory everything is allowed, you get these kinds of problems.”


The former international emphasizes that Arbeloa is not the only one to blame. “I think he has simply not been confronted with such situations before and he has clearly made mistakes. And a lot of them. But the responsibility also lies with the people who put him in that place.”

Helguera is also not entirely positive about the possible arrival of José Mourinho at the Bernabéu. “Mou has been a great trainer and has proven that in many places, but it is true that he has not trained at the absolute top level for many years. That worries me,” he says. "And that he would necessarily have to put things in order with a firm hand? I do not believe that you can solve the situation at Real Madrid with just 'mano dura'. It is about managing the group well."

If it were up to Helguera, a profile like Jürgen Klopp would better suit the moment Real Madrid finds itself in. Whether Mourinho is nevertheless the right choice? “I don't know if it's appropriate now,” he concludes.

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