Alvaro Arbeloa remained unfazed about Kylian Mbappe's activity on social media this week as the Real Madrid forward sparked rumours of Jose Mourinho returning to the club. 

Arbeloa was appointed as Xabi Alonso's successor in January, and despite a strong start, he looks set to end the 2025-26 campaign without a trophy to his name. 

Los Blancos are out of all domestic cup competitions, along with the Champions League, following their quarter-final exit to Bundesliga side Bayern Munich earlier this month. 

Madrid also find themselves nine points adrift of Clasico rivals Barcelona in LaLiga ahead of their trip to Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla to face Real Betis on Friday. 

Florentino Perez is expected to assess his options and former boss Mourinho, who is now in charge of Benfica, is among those to have been linked with a return. 

Speculation increased after fans noticed that star striker Mbappe had liked a social media post suggesting Mourinho could be a leading candidate for the role.

The post highlighted the Portuguese coach's win rate during his previous spell and his impact on Cristiano Ronaldo at the club, but Arbeloa played down its significance. 

"These are things I don't even consider," Arbeloa said. "It doesn't bother me if he gives a like to Mourinho, Julia Roberts or anyone else. It has no importance."

Mourinho managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga with a record-breaking 100-point total, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana.

When asked about his future at the club, Arbeloa shifted the focus to Madrid's upcoming match against Betis. 

"My responsibility is to win every game, that's how I see it and that's what I ask of the players. We have to be professional and respectful of the badge.

"My role isn't to motivate Real Madrid players. They already set the highest standards for themselves. My job is to prepare them for what they'll face on the pitch."