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Álvaro Arbeloa, who is set to leave his interim managerial role at Real Madrid, has reportedly been dealt a firm rejection from Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen after offering his services to the German side.

According to Sport Bild, the 43-year-old Spaniard, through his representatives, proactively applied for the head coach position at the 2024 double-winning club. Arbeloa is said to be exploring opportunities abroad following his departure from Madrid this summer.

However, Leverkusen’s response was far from positive. Although the club’s management acknowledges Arbeloa’s potential and had previously monitored his work with Real Madrid’s youth teams, the overall assessment did not convince them that he was ready to take charge of the senior squad at this point in his coaching career.

The club hierarchy is quoted as saying they lacked “the conviction that Arbeloa has advanced sufficiently in his coaching development to lead Leverkusen back to the top immediately.”

The search for a new manager at Bayer Leverkusen has been anything but smooth.

Arbeloa stepped in as Real Madrid’s first-team manager in January after the dismissal of former Bayer Leverkusen title-winner Xabi Alonso. Despite his efforts, the ex-right-back was unable to halt the club’s run of two successive trophyless seasons. Before the season concluded, Arbeloa confirmed that he would not continue as head coach, with José Mourinho (63, Benfica) already designated as his successor.

After spending two decades in various roles at Real Madrid, Arbeloa is now eager to embark on a career abroad, as reported by Sport Bild.

His next move could have been to Leverkusen, where current manager Kasper Hjulmand (54) is expected to be dismissed despite holding a contract until 2027, following the club’s failure to secure Champions League qualification. However, sporting directors Fernando Caro (61) and Simon Rolfes (44) have faced challenges in identifying a suitable replacement.

Their top target was fellow Spaniard Andoni Iraola (43), who is leaving AFC Bournemouth after three successful seasons. Yet, Liverpool’s recent dismissal of Arne Slot changed the scenario dramatically, as Iraola emerged as the leading candidate for the Anfield job, with reports suggesting that an agreement has already been reached and an official announcement is imminent.

Meanwhile, former Atlético Madrid defender Filipe Luis, also linked with Leverkusen, opted to join AS Monaco instead. His appointment at Monaco was aided by the club’s willingness to navigate around the issue of his lack of a UEFA Pro Licence, which would otherwise result in a €25,000 fine per match without special permission.

Elsewhere, Oliver Glasner (51), who is leaving Crystal Palace, is reportedly prioritising discussions with AC Milan over a possible Bundesliga return, while Michel (50) will move from Girona to Ajax Amsterdam.

The uncertainty surrounding Leverkusen’s managerial situation is also affecting transfer negotiations for young prospect Kennet Eichhorn.

Sporting directors Caro and Rolfes are under growing pressure to finalise an appointment before the week’s end, as the club seeks to secure the signing of Hertha BSC’s 16-year-old talent Kennet Eichhorn. However, several top clubs are also vying for his signature.

As per kicker, Bayer Leverkusen currently have “good chances” of signing Eichhorn, but those prospects are diminishing as long as the head coach position remains unfilled. The report notes that the uncertainty is a “deal-breaker”, with the youngster unwilling to commit to a club that has yet to name its new manager.

Álvaro Arbeloa’s record as Real Madrid head coach: