Alvaro Arbeloa: Real Madrid will always be my club as Fulham prepare for Sunderland

Alvaro Arbeloa says Real Madrid will remain “the club of my life” and that he will continue to follow every match, despite wishing his spell in charge of the Spanish club had produced better results.

The Fulham manager was speaking before his side’s Premier League meeting with Sunderland on Sunday, their second match of the league season.

Arbeloa, who previously managed Real Madrid, described the experience as an important opportunity to develop, while acknowledging that his time at the club did not unfold as he had hoped.

“Managing Real Madrid was a wonderful experience and a great opportunity to learn,” Arbeloa said. “I wish things had gone better, for the club and the fans, but things happened as they happened.”

The former Real Madrid player added that his relationship with the club had not changed, despite the difficulties of his tenure.

“I will always be grateful to Real Madrid. I am a Real Madrid supporter and I always will be, especially now that I have a friend on the bench leading the team,” he said.

Arbeloa managed Real Madrid in 28 matches, recording 18 victories, two draws and eight defeats during his time in charge.

He said his long association with the club meant Real Madrid would remain an important part of his life, regardless of where his managerial career takes him.

“Real Madrid is the club of my life and I will watch all of their matches,” Arbeloa said. “I am here thanks to Real Madrid. I spent more than 20 years connected to this club, and that is something that will always remain inside me.”

Arbeloa’s first match as Fulham manager ended in a dramatic 3-2 defeat by Chelsea in the opening round of the league season.

That result leaves Fulham preparing for another challenge as they get ready to face Sunderland on Sunday. The match will be Arbeloa’s second league fixture in charge of the club.

His comments reflect the continuing significance of Real Madrid in his career, both as a former player and as a manager. Arbeloa remains grateful for the opportunity to lead the Spanish club, even though he believes the outcome should have been more positive for Real Madrid and its supporters.

For now, his focus is on Fulham and the next fixture, but his loyalty to Real Madrid remains clear. He says he will continue to follow the club’s matches and considers the time he spent there over more than two decades to be a permanent part of his identity.