Real Madrid, Fulham and Benfica in the coaching triangle

When Arbeloa was promoted from Real Madrid Castilla – who were fourth in the Primera RFEF at the time – he created a footballing identity for a team with personality and a desire to dominate.

However, he said he cannot be the only one in the first team.

As he put it: “I should have been the manager I was meant to be.”

So his time as first team coach at Real Madrid may be no real reference. Fulham.

Castilla’s side were built around what they called offensive joy – possession and pressing were the two pillars.

When looking for a match, Arbeloa was always willing to go straight.

On paper it was 4-3-3; In training, he pushed the midfielder into a No.10 position and changed his formation to a 4-2-3-1, with a clear reference point up front and wide spaces being vital.

Something was non-negotiable – strength. Arbeloa’s defensive model is built on constant pressing – this was not a team that wanted to sit and defend its own box, something else was changing around it.

Much of the thinking is in the dressing rooms where he played.

as if LiverpoolRafa Benitez left behind the example of a coach who is busy improving individual players, constantly talking to them, constantly correcting them.

When he returned to Real Madrid in 2009, Manuel Pellegrini showed him a coach who loved speed in the game, he was free to exploit the wings.

Mourinho referred to Arbeloa’s path from his former manager at the Bernabeu and asked them to put in a lot of effort every day. He’s a well-rounded coach whose style is built entirely around his player model.

During his time with Spain, the late Carlo Ancelotti and Vicente del Bosque taught him something else – tactics alone are not enough.

As Arbeloa sees it, a coach who can’t lead his team “fails” – but because he’s got his ideas on the field.