Real Madrid's board has reportedly admitted that their decision to appoint Álvaro Arbeloa as manager was made in haste and was a fundamental error, according to AS. The former defender was brought in to replace Xabi Alonso in January after Zinedine Zidane declined a third stint at the Santiago Bernabéu, leaving the club scrambling for a solution. That internal promotion, however, has failed to maintain squad order and has created a rift that threatens to unravel the season.

The cracks in Arbeloa's leadership have been widening for weeks. A recent physical altercation between Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni made headlines, but the deeper issue lies in the manager's deteriorating relationship with the squad's Spanish core. At least six players have effectively stopped speaking to him, including club legend and captain Dani Carvajal, who is now set to depart at the end of the season. Dani Ceballos had a heated argument over playing time, while rising star Raul Asencio was sidelined after a similar dispute. Even full-back Álvaro Carreras was caught on camera laughing when overlooked for a substitution, signaling a complete breakdown in respect.

Perhaps most damaging, the report highlights Arbeloa's inaction during the training ground fight. Instead of stepping in to restore order, the former right-back was reportedly overwhelmed by the situation—a move that left the board surprised and unhappy. With unprecedented sanctions looming for the involved players, the spotlight remains firmly on the board's managerial misstep. As the season nears an acrimonious end, the priority at the Bernabéu has shifted to finding a leader capable of restoring the values of respect and discipline that have vanished under Arbeloa's watch. José Mourinho's name has already been floated as a potential candidate to steer the ship back on course.