Real Madrid could change coaches again in the coming weeks. According to information revealed this 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 on January 12, just three weeks ago.

Among the targeted candidates is Unai Emery, the current Aston Villa manager. "Unai Emery is on a shortlist drawn up by Real Madrid's management for a potential arrival this summer," reports Sky Sports Germany, which also specifies 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 move were to materialize, it would mark Real Madrid's second coaching change during the 2025-2026 season.

The club had already replaced Xabi Alonso after just eight months in charge, following their defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final against FC Barcelona on January 11th. At that time, Álvaro Arbeloa, a former defender for the club and ex-reserve team coach, was promoted. Since his appointment, Arbeloa has managed five matches, with a record of three wins and two losses.

The most recent defeat, suffered on January 28, 2026, in the Champions League group stage, resulted in a heavy loss (4-2). Following this match, the Madrid coach took full responsibility for the defeat, in a context already marked by persistent rumors about his future.

Unai Emery, a profile with a recognized European track record

For his part, Unai Emery boasts an impressive European record. Having made his name at Sevilla FC, he achieved the feat of winning three consecutive Europa League titles from 2014 to 2016, before adding a fourth in 2021 with Villarreal. His spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal were more mixed, but his work at Aston Villa has definitively established him as one of "the most respected managers in the Premier League," according to sport.fr.

Two years after leading the Birmingham club to a surprising 4th place, Aston Villa currently occupies 3rd position in the English league, just four points behind leader Arsenal, thus strengthening Emery's stock in the coaching market.