News Focus
- Arbeloa confirms he will depart Real Madrid after Saturday’s clash with Athletic Club
- Jose Mourinho is set to replace the Spaniard, returning for a second spell at the Bernabeu
- The 43-year-old took charge in January but failed to win any trophies this season
- Real Madrid finished second in La Liga and crashed out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage
- Club presidential elections could delay Mourinho’s official appointment
Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has announced he will step down from his position when the current campaign concludes. The 43-year-old revealed the news during a press conference on Friday, ahead of his final match in charge against Athletic Club this weekend.
Arbeloa only assumed control of the first team in January this year, stepping up from his role with the reserve side to replace Xabi Alonso. However, his short tenure has ended without silverware, as the club finished as runners-up in La Liga and suffered elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich.
Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho is widely expected to succeed Arbeloa at the Bernabeu. Mourinho, who previously led Real between 2010 and 2013, is currently negotiating his exit from Benfica to facilitate the move back to Spain.
The departing coach made it clear he will not form part of Mourinho’s backroom staff. “Mou has an excellent technical team with him,” Arbeloa explained. “If he comes to Madrid, he will bring his own people. There is no possibility I will stay on with him.”
When asked about his personal plans, the former defender remained uncertain. “From Monday, I will start thinking about my future,” he said. “Right now, I only want to focus on winning our final game.”
Arbeloa, who wore the white shirt as a player from 2009 until 2016, expressed his deep affection for the club. He described the Bernabeu as his home and stated he hopes this is merely a temporary goodbye rather than a permanent farewell to the dugout.
Saturday’s fixture could mark the end of Arbeloa’s five-month spell in the hot seat. Results during his leadership failed to meet the high standards expected by the supporters, with Barcelona claiming the league title by a significant margin of 14 points.
The timing of Mourinho’s official unveiling remains unclear. Club president Florentino Perez faces a potential challenge from businessman Enrique Riquelme in upcoming presidential elections. If Riquelme formally submits his candidacy by Saturday, the election process could postpone any major managerial announcements until after the vote.