Alvaro Arbeloa has officially confirmed he will leave his role as Real Madrid head coach when the season concludes, following a campaign without a trophy.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday (local time), Arbeloa was asked whether he would continue to lead the team next season and replied: “Yes.” The announcement comes amid widespread speculation that veteran manager Jose Mourinho will rejoin the Royal Spanish club.
Real Madrid host Athletic Bilbao on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu in their final La Liga match of the season, bringing a turbulent campaign to a close.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez appointed Arbeloa in January to replace Xabi Alonso.
The former Spanish defender stated he would not work on Mourinho’s coaching staff if the Portuguese tactician is appointed as his successor.
“Mou has a wonderful technical team, he has good people around him. If he comes to Madrid, he will bring his own staff,” Arbeloa said. “There is no chance I will stay to work with him. As for my future… from Monday I will think about that.”
Arbeloa, who played for Real Madrid from 2009 to 2016 and later coached the youth sides, expressed hope that the upcoming match is merely a “see you later” rather than a final farewell.
“I hope it is a see you later… I have always considered this my home, I have been with Madrid for 20 years in various roles,” Arbeloa shared. “This will be the last match of the season as Real Madrid coach; I don’t know if it will be the last match of my coaching career at Madrid. We never know. I will try to enjoy it and try to win.”
