Leverkusen reject Alvaro Arbeloa as coaching candidate

Bayer Leverkusen have turned down the chance to appoint former Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa as their next head coach. The 43-year-old, who left Real Madrid after a brief spell in charge of the first team, had been offered to the club as they search for a successor to Kasper Hjulmand.

Arbeloa stepped in at the Bernabeu following Xabi Alonso's dismissal in January and guided the side to a second-place finish before making way for José Mourinho, who is now close to taking over at Real Madrid. He is keen to test himself abroad and his management team approached Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes and CEO Fernando Carro, hoping to emulate Alonso's success with the Werkself.

Leverkusen had extensively scouted Arbeloa during his time coaching Real Madrid’s U19s between 2022 and 2025, and feedback from the scouting department left the club unconvinced he is ready to lead the team back to the top of German football.

Germany, Leverkusen

bayer leverkusen, alvaro arbeloa, real madrid, head coach, kasper hjulmand, simon rolfes, fernando carro, xabi alonso, josé mourinho, scouting