Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa says he will leave the post

Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed on Friday he would leave his role as Real Madrid coach at the end of a trophyless season.

“Yes,” Arbeloa said at a press conference when asked to confirm he would not coach the team next season, amid widespread reports that veteran manager Jose Mourinho is returning to the club.

Los Blancos host Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday in their final La Liga match of a turbulent campaign.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez appointed Arbeloa as Xabi Alonso’s replacement in January and he will himself be replaced by Portuguese veteran Mourinho.

Spaniard Arbeloa said he would not work as Mourinho’s staff if the Portuguese coach is appointed as his successor.

«Mou has a fantastic technical team, he has good people around him. When he comes to Madrid, he comes with his team,» Arbeloa said.

«There is no way I would be with him. Then, my future… from Monday I will think about it.»

Arbeloa, who played at Madrid between 2009 and 2016 and later coached there at youth level, said he hoped this match would be a ‘see you later’ rather than a farewell.

«I hope it’s a goodbye… I’ve always considered this my home, I played in Madrid for 20 years in different roles,» Arbeloa said.

“It will be my last match this season as coach of Real Madrid, I don’t know if it will be the last match of my life as coach of Real Madrid.

«We never know. I’ll try to enjoy it and try to get the win.»

Published on May 22, 2026