Real Madrid players ‘to receive’ warning from hierarchy after Copa del Rey exit | OneFootball

Real Madrid made a nightmare start to Alvaro Arbeloa’s reign with a Copa del Rey exit to Segunda side Albacete. Diario AS reports that the hierarchy place responsibility on the squad, with Alonso gone they see few excuses, and the players are set to receive a warning.

Arbeloa opted for several youngsters, leaving Thibaut Courtois, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe at home. Afterwards he pointed to fitness, in a parting shot to his friend Xabi Alonso, while also taking responsibility for the defeat.

In early December, reports said Alonso was walking a tightrope, not merely a pressure play. The hierarchy were split then between appointing Arbeloa immediately or giving Alonso more time.

The Albacete defeat is viewed by those who favoured an earlier change as further evidence of a declining competitive level, bolstering their stance.

Amid reports the club are already sounding out managers for next season, confidence in Arbeloa remains intact. The plan is for him to see out the season, while options for the summer will continue to be assessed.

Even so, there is acknowledgement that his position has been weakened by the loss, even if somewhat unfairly. There is concern that a mid-season change, despite a reasonable La Liga and Champions League position, may not shift much before May.

Source: Football Espana