The Lead Is Simple
MADRID (AP) — Álvaro Arbeloa confirmed what many in Spain had taken for granted for weeks: he won't be Real Madrid's coach beyond Saturday's final game of the season. When asked at a press conference Friday if the La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao would be his last, Arbeloa simply said, "Yes."
The writing had been on the wall since January, when Arbeloa was promoted from the club's reserve team to replace the fired Xabi Alonso — his first major coaching job. Under his leadership, Madrid lost to a second-division opponent in the Copa del Rey in his debut, exited the Champions League quarterfinals to Bayern Munich, and will finish second in La Liga to Barcelona.
That is usually how club statements work: the wording stays calm while the room clearly has not.
The Detail That Matters
It was always likely he would be an interim appointment until the club found a better option in the offseason. That much has become clear. Spanish media report that Madrid is seriously considering bringing back José Mourinho for a second stint, 13 years after he last coached the club. Mourinho has been at Benfica this campaign but recently said he will decide his future soon.
"I have already made the leap, improved greatly over the last four months, and I feel prepared for new challenges," Arbeloa said Friday. "Starting Monday, I will think about the m."
The Road From Here
Carvajal and Alaba also bow out
Saturday's game at the Santiago Bernabéu will also mark the last appearance for veteran defenders Dani Carvajal and David Alaba, whose contracts are expiring. Right back Carvajal, 34, has helped Madrid win six Champions Leagues since 2013. Center back Alaba, 33, contributed to two of those European Cup victories since arriving in 2021.