Real Madrid could once again change coaches in the coming weeks. According to information revealed on Friday, January 29, 2026, by Sky Sports Germany, the Madrid club, led by Florentino Pérez, has drawn up a shortlist of potential replacements for Álvaro Arbeloa, who was appointed head coach just three weeks ago on January 12.
Among the targeted profiles is Unai Emery, the current coach of Aston Villa. “Unai Emery is part of a shortlist established by Real Madrid’s management for a summer arrival,” says Sky Sports Germany, which also notes that “initial contact has already taken place in recent hours with the 54-year-old Spanish coach.”
Persistent instability on the Madrid bench
This news comes as Unai Emery is under contract with Aston Villa until 2029, which could complicate any potential negotiations. If this lead materializes, it would mark the second coaching change for Real Madrid in the 2025-2026 season.
The club had already replaced Xabi Alonso after just eight months in charge, following a defeat in the Supercopa de España final against FC Barcelona on January 11. It was then Álvaro Arbeloa, a former club defender and ex-reserve team coach, who was promoted. Since his appointment, Arbeloa has managed five matches, with a record of three wins and two losses.
The latest defeat, suffered on January 28, 2026 in the group stage of the Champions League, was a heavy one (4-2). After the match, the Madrid coach took full responsibility for the loss, amid ongoing rumors about his future.
Unai Emery, a coach with a recognized European track record
On his part, Unai Emery boasts an impressive European record. He made his mark at Séville FC, achieving the feat of winning three consecutive Europa Leagues from 2014 to 2016, before adding a fourth in 2021 with Villarreal. His stints at Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal were more mixed, but his work at Aston Villa has firmly established him among the most respected coaches in the Premier League, according to sport.fr.
Two years after leading the Birmingham club to a surprising 4th place, Aston Villa currently sits in 3rd place in the English league, just four points behind leaders Arsenal, further boosting Emery’s stock in the coaching market.
