New Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has stated that the club's supporters were completely justified in booing the team during their 2-0 La Liga victory over Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
A Tough Start and Fan Discontent
The match, which delivered Arbeloa his first win as head coach, was overshadowed by audible jeers and whistles directed at the manager and key players like Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. This reaction from the home crowd came after a difficult period for the club.
Arbeloa was appointed just days earlier on Monday, following the sacking of Xabi Alonso after a Spanish Super Cup final loss to Barcelona. His debut ended in a shock Copa del Rey elimination to second-division side Albacete.
"We didn't come from a good week and the fans are well within their rights to show their discontent with all the players, with the team, with me first of all," Arbeloa told reporters in a post-match press conference.
He added, "I think the whistles were for everyone, and me first of all because I am the leader of this team." The coach, who celebrated his 43rd birthday on the day of the match, framed the high demands of the Madrid faithful as a key ingredient of the club's historic success.
Defending Vinicius and Looking Ahead
Brazilian star Vinicius Junior bore the brunt of the fans' frustration, having recently ended a 16-game scoring drought with a goal against Barcelona. Arbeloa came to the winger's defence and outlined his plan to restore the player's best form.
"It's clear for me as Madrid coach, I'll work to get the best version of Vinicius," Arbeloa stated. He pledged to instruct teammates to involve the forward more frequently in play.
The coach heaped praise on Vinicius's legacy at the club, noting, "What Vinicius has done since arriving here as a kid, few have done in the history of Real Madrid." He expressed pride in coaching the 25-year-old, who has already won two Champions League and three La Liga titles with Madrid, and backed him to deliver more trophies.
Embracing the Pressure for Improvement
Despite the tense atmosphere, Arbeloa commended his squad's bravery in securing a win that cut the gap to Liga leaders Barcelona to just one point. He emphasised a collective responsibility to meet the club's legendary standards.
"We know this is the biggest club in the world, where people want the maximum," he said, acknowledging the Bernabeu's expectations. "I have nothing to rebuke our fans for."
Looking forward, the Spanish coach struck a determined note, asserting that the team is aware of the need for improvement and is ready to work and fight for every honour. The message from Arbeloa is clear: at Real Madrid, fan criticism is part of the culture, and the only response is to perform better on the pitch.
