MADRID — Álvaro Arbeloa confirmed Friday what many in Spain had assumed for weeks: Saturday's La Liga game against Athletic Bilbao will be his last as Real Madrid coach.
Bare tenure ends with out a trophy
Arbeloa was promoted from the club's reserve team in January to replace the fired Xabi Alonso, inheriting a side that had already stumbled. In his debut, Madrid lost to a second-division opponent in the Copa del Rey. The team the n exited the Champions League quarterfinals to Bayern Munich and will finish second in La Liga behind Barcelona.
The writing had been on the wall. Unless Arbeloa produced something extraordinary, he was always intended as an interim solution until the club found a better option this summer.
Mourinho looms as candidate
Spanish media report that Madrid is seriously considering bringing back José Mourinho for a second stint, 13 years after his initial tenure ended. Mourinho is currently at Benfica and recently said he will decide his future soon.
"I have already made the leap, improved greatly over the se four months, and I feel prepared for new challenges," Arbeloa, 43, said at a press conference. "Starting Monday, I will think about the m."
Two defenders also depart
Saturday marks the final game for veteran defenders Dani Carvajal and David Alaba, whose contracts expire this summer. Right back Carvajal, 34, has helped Madrid win six Champions Leagues since 2013. Alaba, 33, contributed to two of those European Cup victories since joining in 2021.