Bayer Leverkusen have reportedly turned down the chance to appoint former Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa as their next head coach. Even though the club is carrying out an extensive search for a replacement for Kasper Hjulmand, the Bundesliga outfit has decided the Spaniard is not yet ready to take the reins and will continue evaluating other options.

According to reports from the German outlet Bild, Leverkusen refused an offer to bring in Arbeloa as their new manager. The 43-year-old recently left Real Madrid after a short spell overseeing the first team, during which he stepped in following Xabi Alonso’s departure in January. Arbeloa guided the Spanish giants to a second-place finish before making way for José Mourinho, who is now close to taking over at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The former Spain international is eager to prove himself outside his home country, as his deep, two-decade-long connection with Real Madrid makes it hard for him to imagine coaching another Spanish club. His representatives reportedly reached out directly to Leverkusen’s sporting director Simon Rolfes and CEO Fernando Carro, with hopes of following the example of his friend Alonso, who famously led the Werkself to a domestic double in 2024. However, internal discussions led the German side to decline the proposal.

Despite Arbeloa’s high-profile background, Leverkusen’s management felt that he is not yet the right fit for their current ambitions. The club had been closely monitoring his progress as a youth coach at Real Madrid, especially during his tenure with the U19 side between 2022 and 2025. This long-term evaluation was key to the club’s final decision.

Reports suggest that Leverkusen’s scouting department concluded Arbeloa has not yet developed the tactical experience and leadership maturity needed to guide the club to the summit of German football. While the hierarchy respects his successful playing career and brief experience managing top talents such as Kylian Mbappe during his interim spell in Madrid, they believe a more seasoned coach is necessary to challenge Bayern Munich in the coming season.

Leverkusen’s decision comes amid a challenging managerial search. The club recently suffered a major setback when former Chelsea full-back Filipe Luis agreed to take charge of AS Monaco. Luis had been among the club’s top choices due to his sharp tactical understanding and decorated playing resume but opted for the project at Stade Louis II instead.

Adding to Leverkusen’s frustration is the situation with another target, Andoni Iraola. The former Bournemouth manager was a priority candidate for the German club, but reports now suggest he is leading the race for the Liverpool managerial position. This series of disappointments has forced Rolfes and Carro to restart their search for what they call a “top coach” capable of matching the club’s ambitious objectives.

Finding a new leader has become a pressing matter for Leverkusen’s hierarchy, particularly after the team finished sixth in the Bundesliga, securing only a Europa League spot for the next campaign. Current manager Kasper Hjulmand remains in charge for now, with his contract running until 2027, but the club plans to formalise his exit once a replacement is finalised. The management is under pressure to appoint a tactician capable of replicating the success achieved under Alonso’s tenure, which revitalised the club’s fortunes.

While Arbeloa is seen as a promising figure for the future, Leverkusen appear unwilling to take a risk on a relatively inexperienced coach after recent disappointments. For Arbeloa, the search for a European opportunity continues as he looks to carve out his own identity beyond the shadow of the Bernabeu.