Álvaro Arbeloa answered “Yes” when asked whether Saturday’s La Liga fixture against Athletic Bilbao would be his final match in charge.
It is odd how a season can close with two farewells before the whistle blows.
The matchup already has enough history; the job is to keep the reading list shorter than the tension.
An interim spell without a trophy
Promoted from the club’s reserve team in January to replace the dismissed Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa, 43, oversaw a side that crashed out of the Copa del Rey to a second‑division opponent, fell in the Champions League quarter‑finals to Bayern Munich, and will finish runners‑up in La Liga behind Barcelona.
The club’s search for a familiar face hints at how high the stakes really are.
Farewell for two veterans
Dani Carvajal, 34, and David Alaba, 33, will also play their last game on Saturday as their contracts expire. Carvajal has collected six Champions Leagues since 2013, while Alaba added two European crowns after joining in 2021.
Mourinho return speculation
Spanish reports say Real Madrid areconsidering bringing back José Mourinho, who led the club 13 years ago and is currently at Benfica, with a decision expected soon.
The idea of a comeback feels like a step backward, yet itunderscores the pressure to restore immediate competitiveness.