New Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa insisted on Tuesday that he will lead the club as himself, rather than trying to emulate José Mourinho, despite comparisons to the Portuguese manager.

Arbeloa, who played under Mourinho at Madrid, was appointed on Monday to replace Xabi Alonso following Real Madrid’s defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday.

“I have not spoken to José yet. It was a privilege and an honour to be coached by him,” Arbeloa told a press conference. “I have a great relationship with him, and he obviously influenced me a lot—I carry him within me.

“But I am going to be Álvaro Arbeloa. While it’s true I am not afraid of failing, if I tried to be José Mourinho, I would fail spectacularly.”

Mourinho, who currently manages Benfica, led Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning a La Liga title and famously battling Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona during one of the fiercest periods of the rivalry.

Barca currently lead Madrid by four points in La Liga, and Arbeloa’s first challenge comes in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey last-16 tie against second-tier Albacete.

Promoted from coaching Madrid’s reserve and youth teams, Arbeloa emphasized that success and the club’s winning tradition remain his priorities.

“This club is about winning, winning, and winning again. That demand, showing the DNA that built us, has filled our trophy cabinets—that is what I want,” he said. “When I was a player, I learned these values from the dressing room. My job now is to excite fans all over the world and try to leave those cabinets even fuller. That is my obsession.”

Arbeloa did not specify the length of his contract but expressed his commitment to the club. “I’ve been here 20 years. This is my home, and I will be at Real Madrid as long as they want me here,” he said.

Mbappé absent from training

Striker Kylian Mbappé missed Arbeloa’s first training session on Tuesday as he continues his recovery from a knee sprain. The French forward came on as a late substitute in Sunday’s Super Cup final but is expected to continue his rehabilitation until next Tuesday’s Champions League clash against former club Monaco. A Real Madrid source told AFP that his absence was “logical” given the knee issue.

Former coach Xabi Alonso, who Arbeloa described as a close friend, had admitted it was a calculated risk to involve Madrid’s top scorer against Barcelona.

“Everyone here knows the bond I share with him, the friendship, the mutual respect,” Arbeloa said.

Alonso, dismissed after less than eight months, posted on social media: “Things didn’t go as I would have liked. Coaching Real Madrid was an honour and a responsibility. I’m grateful to the club, the players, and especially the fans for their confidence and support. I leave respectfully, with gratitude, and with the pride of having done the best I could.”