MADRID (AP) — Álvaro Arbeloa confirmed what many soccer fans in Spain had taken for granted for weeks — he won't be Real Madrid's coach beyond the final game of the season on Saturday.
When asked in a press conference Friday if the game against Athletic Bilbao would be his last, Arbeloa said "yes."
Tenure Overview
Arbeloa was promoted from the club's reserve team in January to replace the fired Xabi Alonso. It was his first major coaching job at the senior level.
The team struggled during his tenure, losing to a second-division opponent in the Copa del Rey in his debut. Real Madrid then exited the Champions League quarterfinals to Bayern Munich and will finish second in La Liga to Barcelona.
It was assumed Arbeloa would be an interim coach until the club could find a better option in the offseason.
Future Speculation
Spanish media is rife with reports that Madrid is seriously considering bringing back José Mourinho for a second stint, 13 years after he previously coached the club.
Mourinho has coached Benfica this campaign but recently said he will decide his future soon.
Arbeloa's Comments
Arbeloa, 43, said he will seek "new challenges" after having learned from his first major coaching job.
"I have already made the leap, improved greatly over these four months, and I feel prepared for new challenges," Arbeloa said. "Starting Monday, I will think about them."