Real Madrid tipped to approach unthinkable manager to replace Alvaro Arbeloa this summer

Alvaro Arbeloa was appointed Real Madrid interim manager following the sacking of Xabi Alonso earlier in the season, but the former Spanish international does not appear to be in the reckoning to be the long-term option at the Bernabeu.

Last week, Real Madrid were linked to their former manager Jose Mourinho, but the current Benfica manager has denied any interest in the role.

The Spanish giants have turned to former managers successfully in recent seasons as they brought Carlo Ancelotti back to the club in the summer of 2021, and he would depart at the end of the last campaign, having won two La Liga titles, as many Champions League titles and a Club World Cup.

Arbeloa

This successful spell just enhanced his legacy at the club after his first spell in which he won a Champions League and a Copa del Rey between June 2013 and May 2015.

Another manager and former player they did this with was Zinedine Zidane, with the France legend securing three Champions League and a La Liga title in his first spell before adding another Spanish top flight to his trophy cabinet in his second.

Now, the club may turn to a former player to take over as manager; however, it would be a controversial decision after he cut ties with the club in the summer of 1996 to join rivals Barcelona.

Luis Enrique has been tipped by Miguel Angel Nadal, a former Barcelona star, to be an option for Madrid.

Speaking on behalf of BetBrothers, Nadal said: “It would be exciting to see Jurgen Klopp at Real Madrid. Apart from that, today you also need a point of reference. It is difficult to appoint a coach who doesn’t carry weight.

“There are others, naturally, not only Klopp. It would be shocking. But I think another interesting option would also be Luis Enrique.

“But it would be too explosive. Football gives many twists. It is true that when one struggles… but at a certain moment you need a guy with a special personality.”

The reason it would be quite an ‘interesting option’ is because of the history between Enrique and Real Madrid.

Luis Enrique

Barcelona managed to lure Enrique away from Madrid to join the Catalan team in the summer of 1996, with the former Spanish international remaining at the club until he retired in 2004.

He found love and admiration at Barcelona, something he has previously mentioned that he did not feel at Madrid, and became a legend for the Catalan side, helping them to win La Liga twice, as well as the Copa del Rey on as many occasions, and lift the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

Should he return to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium he may not receive a great reception due to his history with Barcelona and all that he has achieved as a player and manager with the Catalan side.