According to German outlet Bild, Bayer Leverkusen have turned down an approach involving Álvaro Arbeloa for their next head coach position. The 43-year-old, who recently left Real Madrid after a short spell in charge of the first team, was put forward to the Bundesliga club’s hierarchy as they search for a successor to Hjulmand.
Key Points:
- Bayer Leverkusen has officially rejected Álvaro Arbeloa for their vacant managerial position.
- The decision follows extensive internal scouting, which concluded Arbeloa is not yet ready for a top-tier European role.
- Leverkusen have already missed out on key targets such as Filipe Luís and Andoni Iraola.
- The German club is now under increasing pressure to appoint a proven “top coach” capable of restoring elite-level competitiveness.
Leverkusen Reject Arbeloa Approach for Managerial Role
Arbeloa had stepped in at the Bernabéu following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso in January, guiding Madrid to a second-place finish before being replaced by José Mourinho, who is now close to taking over the role permanently.
The former Spain international is understood to be keen on testing himself abroad, finding it difficult to envision managing another Spanish club after a two-decade association with Real Madrid. His representatives reportedly made direct contact with Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes and CEO Fernando Carro, hoping to follow in the footsteps of his friend Alonso, who famously delivered a domestic double for the Werkself in 2024. However, Leverkusen opted not to proceed after internal evaluations.
Leverkusen’s Scouting Review Leads to Rejection
Despite Arbeloa’s profile, Leverkusen were unconvinced he is the right fit at this stage of his managerial development. The club had closely monitored his progress during his time with Real Madrid’s youth setup, particularly the U19s between 2022 and 2025, and this long-term assessment played a key role in their decision.
Scouting feedback reportedly suggested that Arbeloa is not yet at the level required to immediately lead Leverkusen’s push back to the top of German football. While his pedigree as a former elite player and his experience managing high-profile talents such as Kylian Mbappé during his interim spell in Madrid were acknowledged, the board believe a more seasoned coach is needed to challenge Bayern Munich next season.
Setbacks Continue in Leverkusen’s Coaching Search
The decision to pass on Arbeloa comes amid a frustrating stretch in Leverkusen’s managerial hunt, with several top targets already slipping away. Former Chelsea defender Filipe Luís has agreed to become head coach of Monaco, despite being identified as a leading candidate due to his tactical profile and playing pedigree.
Meanwhile, Andoni Iraola, another primary target and former Bournemouth boss, is now reportedly the frontrunner for the Liverpool job. These setbacks have forced Rolfes and Carro to reassess their shortlist as they continue searching for a “top coach” capable of meeting the club’s ambitious standards.
Leverkusen’s Search for the Next Xabi Alonso
Finding a new head coach has become the club’s top priority after Leverkusen finished sixth in the Bundesliga, securing a place in the Europa League for next season. Current coach Hjulmand remains in charge for now, with his contract running until 2027, but the club are expected to formalise a change once a successor is secured.
Leverkusen are under pressure to identify a tactically strong leader capable of replicating the success of the Xabi Alonso era, which transformed the club’s trajectory. While Arbeloa is still viewed as an interesting long-term option, the Bundesliga side are currently unwilling to take a gamble on an unproven manager after recent disappointments, and will continue their search elsewhere. For Arbeloa, the pursuit of a breakthrough role in Europe continues as he looks to build his reputation beyond the shadow of the Bernabéu.
