MADRID (AP) — Álvaro Arbeloa confirmed what many in Spain took 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 La Liga game against Athletic Bilbao would be his last, Arbeloa said, "Yes."
Struggles Since Promotion
Arbeloa was widely expected to be on his way out after he was unable to steer the team to a trophy following his promotion from the club's reserve team in January to replace the fired Xabi Alonso.
Madrid lost to a second-division opponent in the Copa del Rey in Arbeloa's debut. It exited the Champions League quarterfinals to Bayern Munich, and will finish second in La Liga to Barcelona.
The assumption was that unless the team performed spectacularly well under Arbeloa, he would remain an interim coach until the club found a permanent option in the offseason.
Mourinho Return Rumors
Spanish media is rife with reports that Madrid is seriously considering bringing back José Mourinho for a second stint, 13 years after he first coached the club.
Mourinho has been managing Benfica this campaign but recently said he will decide his future soon.
"Prepared for New Challenges"
Arbeloa, 43, said he will seek "new challenges" after 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."
Farewell for Carvajal and Alaba
Saturday will also be the last game for veteran defenders Dani Carvajal and David Alaba, whose contracts are about to expire.
Right back Carvajal, 34, has helped Madrid win six Champions Leagues since 2013, while the 33-year-old Alaba contributed in two of those European Cup titles since arriving in 2021.