“I’ve been at this club for 20 years, I know the responsibility placed on me and I’m really excited”

When did you find out you were being appointed?
“Yesterday afternoon, I was told that the club and Xabi Alonso had mutually agreed to part ways and that they wanted me to take responsibility and lead the first team. It was minutes before the official statement came out. I spoke to Xabi yesterday — you all know the relationship we have, how much I appreciate and care for him. It’s mutual and always will be.”

Is this a long-term or interim position?

“I’ve been at this club for 20 years, and I’ll be here as long as Real Madrid want me to be. This is my home, and it always will be.”

Issues and solutions within the team
“What I discussed with Xabi Alonso yesterday stays between us. I’m eager to start my first game in a competition where everything is at stake. I’m lucky to have an extraordinary squad and can’t wait for tomorrow.”

“We have the whole season ahead of us. We’re in a great position in all three competitions, and tomorrow we fight for the first one. We’re well placed in LaLiga and the Champions League. My main concern is having all players available, working hard with them, and making sure they understand what I want. Ultimately, it’s about them, having the chance to express themselves, enjoying the game, and being happy. Wearing this crest is the best thing that can happen to you, it’s a huge privilege. My only focus is ambition and the desire to win every title because that’s what this crest demands.”

The players’ commitment
“We’ve all seen the season and the effort they put in during the Super Cup final. We have a fantastic squad and a group of players who are ready to do what it takes, well aware of the demands of Real Madrid. Some have won six Champions Leagues, and people forget that quickly. Winning with this crest only comes through values like sacrifice, hard work, and consistency. That’s what has made Real Madrid the greatest club in history and gave us this incredible record. That’s what these players have.”

“They’re great professionals with enormous talent. All of them are good guys who want to do things right. No one wants to win titles more than Real Madrid players. I know what winning means and the happiness it brings to millions of fans worldwide. I told them this morning that the best time of my life was as a Real Madrid player. They need to enjoy it — they’re hugely demanding of themselves. Today was my first day, my first contact, and I can’t wait for tomorrow for our first game together.”

What does playing well mean to you?

“At Real Madrid, throughout the 123-year history, it’s not very often you see acknowledgement that the team played well. The demands are huge. There have been coaches who won three Champions Leagues and still faced criticism. I know where I am, what Real Madrid is, and the expectations. I’m clear on what playing well means and what the fans want to see. It’s what this club has always shown, otherwise we wouldn’t have this record. But the most important thing here is winning.”

Xabi Alonso
“Nothing came before anything else. He wished me the best, and I’d do the same if the roles were reversed. Our friendship comes before everything. We spoke for a long time yesterday, and I wished him well because he’s a fantastic coach. I’m sure he’ll do great things in the future. We’ll always be close, as we have been all these years.”

The academy
“Real Madrid’s academy is the best in the world, and we’ve proven that for many years. There are players from La Fábrica all across the globe. Tomorrow we’ll face some of them. I’ve been lucky to coach many players over the years, and they’ve brought me here. They have a huge opportunity because the first-team coach knows them better than anyone. The standards I demand are Real Madrid standards. They know I’ll be counting on them.”

Mourinho
“I haven’t spoken to him yet. It was a privilege and an honour to be coached by him. I have a great relationship with him, he was a huge influence on me and I carry that with me. But I’m going to be Álvaro Arbeloa. I’m not afraid of failure—I never have been — but if I tried to be Mourinho, I know I’d fail spectacularly.”

Influence of past coaches
“I’ve had many coaches, all very good and very different. I don’t want to leave anyone out. They were all important in my career and influenced who I am as a coach. Each had their own style, and I try to take the best from each. Many are legends who won everything and whose names transcend the sport. I hope things go half as well for me as they did for them.”

Pintus and physical preparations
“It’s a privilege to have him on the staff. He has five European Cups to his name and is an exceptional fitness coach, one of the best in the world. He’ll lead the physical side. He knows many players well and has worked with them before. He has his methods, and we all know how well they work here. It’s a pleasure to work with him, learn from him, and have him by my side. It’s a huge advantage for me and the players.”

Refereeing
“I haven’t even coached a game yet, and you’re asking me about this. I’m focused on tomorrow, on preparing the team and getting off to a winning start. We’re fighting for a trophy, and nothing else matters. My only concern is my players and tomorrow’s opposition, which I see you’re not so concerned about.”

Vini Jr.
“I don’t think about scenarios that haven’t happened. My focus is tomorrow’s game. It’s a privilege to have him here, he’s one of the most exciting players in the world and loved by the fans. We all saw Sunday’s game, and that’s the Vini Jr. we want to see, out there enjoying himself, dancing, playing, and capable of deciding a Clásico. That’s all I care about.”

Albacete
“I’ve found a group of players full of desire. We’ve got the rest of the season ahead, and despite the effort this week, everyone is eager to be on the pitch tomorrow. They share my excitement and want things to go well, to win games, fight for everything, and enjoy it, which is what it’s all about.”
“Every player gets a clean slate from me. It’s a fresh start. Nothing else matters. I don’t think you’ll ask Castilla players if I treated them well or not. It’s a new beginning for everyone, and we know we have to win, the difficulty of a one-off tie, and what it means. Everyone looks motivated and excited to have a great season.”