Rafa Benítez Surprised by Arbeloa's Coaching Career

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez offered a candid response when asked if he ever expected his former Reds players, Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa, to pursue coaching careers. Nearly two decades after playing under Benítez at Anfield, the two are set to face each other as managers in the Premier League when Fulham hosts Chelsea.

Alonso and Arbeloa spent a combined seven years together at club level for Liverpool and Real Madrid. With the Spanish national team, they won the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships in 2008 and 2012. Last season, Arbeloa took charge of the Spanish capital's team after Alonso's dismissal, and now both are leading English top-flight sides.

"Alonso, yes. Arbeloa, not so much. For me, Arbeloa was a surprise. He was at Castilla (Real Madrid's academy), which is similar to how my career started, and then he moved to Madrid under special circumstances. Álvaro knows the Premier League, but his experience is more limited than Xabi's. We need to see how he performs outside of Real Madrid, which offers a certain level of protection. Out there, you're entirely on your own," stated Rafael Benítez.

According to the former Merseyside coach, the two are "very good friends," despite being "rivals once the match begins." This is unsurprising, as Arbeloa and Alonso played together for Benítez, José Mourinho, and Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, and for Vicente del Bosque with the Spanish national team.