To put it bluntly, Real Madrid’s latest move feels as ruthless as watching a tense Cricket Exchange moment where loyalty counts for little once the outcome turns sour. On Wednesday morning, interim coach Arbeloa, exhausted and under immense pressure, was preparing for a do or die Copa del Rey clash, only for news to break that the club had already begun interviewing candidates for a new head coach. This was not quiet preparation in the background but a process that had officially started. The speed and cold efficiency of the decision shocked many observers, leaving Arbeloa without even the courtesy of a real chance to prove himself, a scenario that many see as a classic Florentino Perez style response.

From start to finish, Arbeloa’s return to the first team has carried a tragic sense of loyalty and sacrifice. His predecessor Xabi Alonso lasted just seven months at the Bernabeu before everything collapsed, especially after a painful Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona. Despite winning 20 of his 28 matches, Alonso was reportedly unable to fully control a star filled dressing room led by Kylian Mbappe and ultimately paid the price. Arbeloa stepped in from the reserves fully aware of the risk. He knew better than anyone that this role often exists to take the blame when things go wrong.

History offers little comfort to interim coaches at Real Madrid. Aside from Zinedine Zidane, whose tenure is often described as almost mythical, most caretakers have served as temporary fixes. Santiago Solari is a clear example. During the 2018–19 season, he won 23 of 32 matches with a strong win rate, yet was immediately replaced the moment Zidane showed interest in returning. Arbeloa’s situation is even tougher. He previously guided the Under 19 side to a treble in 2022–23, but stepping into a senior squad shaken by Alonso’s dismissal and tactical chaos is a different challenge altogether. Worse still, before his seat had even warmed, the club had already begun searching for the next chosen one.

Some argue this approach reflects professionalism and long term planning. Veteran supporters, however, see arrogance. Arbeloa is not treated as a true head coach but as a caretaker tasked with cleaning up the mess. As commentator Manu Carreno noted, his contract would only be extended after an exceptional run. In reality, that would require something close to a miracle, given the league gap to Barcelona and a fragile Champions League campaign. Meanwhile, rumors linking Zidane or even Jurgen Klopp to the job hang over him like a shadow.

At its core, this decision highlights why Arbeloa was selected in the first place. He is compliant, loyal, and a direct extension of the president’s authority. That may stabilize the dressing room briefly, but it strips the coach of long term authority. Expecting world class stars to fully commit becomes unrealistic when everyone knows the man in charge may soon be replaced. This is the harsh reality of elite football, where emotions are secondary and results rule all, a truth as unforgiving as any Cricket Exchange climax, and Arbeloa’s unwavering loyalty ultimately reflects the sport’s most brutal form of pragmatism.