Alvaro Arbeloa closing in on historic Real Madrid record | OneFootball

Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa is building momentum on the touchline, and the numbers are beginning to tell a very interesting story. 

The former Real Madrid defender, who took over after the departure of Xabi Alonso, has guided the team to five consecutive victories in La Liga.

The wins have come against Levante, Villarreal, Rayo Vallecano, Valencia, and Real Sociedad, a run that has restored confidence around the club after a difficult stretch earlier in the season. 

The positive results have also placed Arbeloa on the brink of making history at the Santiago Bernabeu.

A record to chase

According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, the Spaniard is now just two wins away from matching the best start by a Real Madrid coach in the club’s history. 

The current record belongs to Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who won his first seven matches after arriving during the 2004-05 season.

The run eventually ended with a 0-2 defeat to Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Real Madrid finished the season in second place, four points behind Barcelona in the La Liga standings.

Alvaro Arbeloa is closing in on a historic Real Madrid record. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Interestingly, the second-best start in the club’s history is far more recent. It was achieved earlier this very season by Xabi Alonso himself. 

After making his debut as Real Madrid coach at the Club World Cup, Alonso oversaw six consecutive La Liga wins between August and the end of September.

During that stretch, Real Madrid defeated Osasuna, Oviedo, Mallorca, Real Sociedad, Espanyol, and Levante. The run came to an end with a heavy defeat in the Madrid derby at the Metropolitano.

To put things in perspective, we must look back at the records of the previous Real Madrid managers.

Carlo Ancelotti, arguably the most successful manager in the club’s history, won his first three matches. Furthermore, Zinedine Zidane registered two wins in his start at the club.

Lastly, Vicente del Bosque, Bernd Schuster, and Julen Lopetegui won three league matches.