Alvaro Arbeloa has confirmed that he will step away from his position as Real Madrid’s coach at the conclusion of a trophyless season, bringing an end to a difficult campaign for the club.
Speaking at a press conference, Arbeloa responded “Yes” when asked to confirm that he would not be in charge next season, with extensive speculation circulating that Jose Mourinho could be returning to the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid will take on Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu on matchday, marking their final La Liga fixture of a turbulent year. The game arrives as the club prepares for what is expected to be another major change in the dugout.
Arbeloa’s appointment came after Florentino Perez moved to replace Xabi Alonso in January, handing the former Spain international the coaching role. Now, the expectation is that Mourinho—described as a veteran in the Portuguese coaching ranks—will take over from Arbeloa.
Arbeloa also made clear that he would not remain at the club in any coaching capacity if Mourinho is appointed. The Spaniard said there is no possibility of him joining Mourinho’s backroom staff.
“Mou has a fantastic technical team, he’s got good people around him,” Arbeloa said. “If he comes to Madrid he will come with his team, and there’s no chance that I would be with him. Then, my future… from Monday I’ll think about that.”
Arbeloa, who represented Real Madrid as a player from 2009 to 2016 before later working with the club’s youth teams, suggested he is hoping the Bilbao encounter serves as a “see you later” rather than a final farewell.
“I hope it’s a see you later,” he added. “I’ve always considered this my home. I’ve belonged to Madrid for 20 years in various roles.”
With Bilbao the last scheduled match of the season for him as coach, Arbeloa acknowledged the emotional weight of the moment while keeping his focus on the game itself. “It will be my last game this season as coach of Real Madrid. I don’t know if it will be the last game of my life as coach of Real Madrid,” he said.
He concluded by stressing the importance of finishing the campaign on a positive note: “We never know. I’ll try and enjoy it and try to get the win.”
