The Game Turned Late
Álvaro Arbeloa said he will not remain Real Madrid’s coach beyond the club’s final game of the season.
When asked in a press conference if the La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao would be his last, he answered, “Yes.”
The scoreboard made the point with less ceremony than everyone around it.
He was promoted from the club’s reserve team earlier this season to replace the fired Xabi Alonso, but could not guide the side to a trophy. Madrid fell to a second‑division team in the Copa del Rey in his debut, were knocked out of the Champions League quarterfinals by Bayern Munich and will finish second in La Liga behind Barcelona. It was always expected he would serve as an interim boss until a permanent choice emerged.
The Small Details Added Up
Spanish reports say Real Madrid are considering bringing back José Mourinho for a second stint, 13 years after his previous spell in charge. Mourinho has been at Benfica this campaign but said he will decide his future shortly.
Arbeloa, 43, said he will look for new challenges. “I have already made the leap, improved greatly over these months, and I feel prepared for what’s next,” he said. “Starting Monday, I will think about them.”
Saturday will also be the last appearance for defenders Dani Carvajal and David Alaba, whose contracts are expiring. Carvajal, 34, helped the club win six Champions Leagues since 2013, while Alaba, 33, contributed to two of those European Cup wins after joining in 2021.
The Table Looks Different
It is a quiet end for a coach who walked into a crisis and walked out without a trophy.
The club’s sudden interest in Mourinho shows that sometimes the best solution is the one that feels most familiar.