Arbeloa ‘happy’ if Mourinho is back at Real Madrid next season

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said on Saturday he will be happy if Jose Mourinho replaces him and leads the club next season.

The Portuguese veteran, who managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013, during which time he clashed with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side, has been heavily linked with a return to the bench at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Currently coaching Benfica, selecting the divisive Mourinho would be a gamble by president Florentino Perez after Los Blancos finished without a major trophy for the second consecutive season.

«For me, as a former (Madrid) player and as a Madridista, Jose Mourinho is number one. He is one of us,» Arbeloa told reporters.

“When he comes back next year, I will be very happy to see him back home.”

Arbeloa replaced Xabi Alonso in January but could not help Madrid salvage anything from a troubled campaign.

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Star striker Kylian Mbappe criticized Arbeloa after he was left on the bench for Madrid’s win over Real Oviedo in midweek.

Mbappe returned from a thigh injury that kept him out of last weekend’s Clásico, where Barca defeated Madrid to seal victory in La Liga.

«I just ran into him; I told him to stay calm. I understand these things make headlines, but it’s a lot more normal than you think,» Arbeloa said.

«I used to be a player; I know what they can feel in these situations: playing every day and then playing less or not at all,» the coach continued.

“I completely understand that Kylian was not happy about not playing on Thursday, and I like that.

«I wouldn’t understand it if he didn’t want to play. My relationship with him remains the same.»

Published on May 16, 2026