Real Madrid is experiencing one of its most turbulent periods, prompting president Florentino Pérez to quickly turn to the English Premier League in search of a "super coach" capable of restoring balance to the Spanish giants. The Spanish newspaper DefensaCentral revealed that the Merengues' management has identified Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta as their primary target to lead the team starting next summer, surpassing other prominent names like Jürgen Klopp and Enzo Maresca in their list of preferred candidates.
This move comes after a dramatic week at the Santiago Bernabéu, beginning with the sudden dismissal of coach Xabi Alonso last Monday, followed by the appointment of Álvaro Arbeloa as an interim solution, and culminating in the shocking elimination from the Copa del Rey against Albacete (3-2). These inconsistent results have convinced Pérez of the need to bring in a coach with a long-term project and a strong tactical personality – qualities the club sees in Arteta.
According to reports, the task will not be easy; Real Madrid isn't the only club monitoring the situation of the Basque coach; Manchester City has also emerged as a rival, keen to sign Arteta, especially as he enters his seventh season with the Gunners and has achieved remarkable success in building a young team that has challenged for the Premier League title for three consecutive seasons and reached the Champions League semi-finals last year after eliminating Real Madrid.
Although Arteta's contract with Arsenal runs until June 2027, the recent stalling of renewal negotiations has fueled speculation about his future. While Jürgen Klopp remains a viable option, and Maresca is a name being mentioned after his departure from Chelsea, it seems that Madrid's focus is firmly on London to secure Arteta's services, attempting to replicate his successful project and bring it to fruition in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid fans are now awaiting the official steps that Perez will take, given the team's urgent need for a coach who combines a modern possession philosophy with the ability to manage a star-studded dressing room. Will Arteta succeed in making history in Madrid, or will he remain loyal to his project with Arsenal?
