Real Madrid's Spanish head coach Alvaro Arbeloa attends a press conference on the eve of the UEFA Champions League, League phase matchday 8 match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF at the Luz stadium in Lisbon on January 27, 2026. (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM / AFP)
Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed Friday he would leave his role as Real Madrid coach at the end of a trophyless season.
“Yes,” Arbeloa said at a press conference when asked to confirm that he would not be coaching the team next season, amid widespread reports that veteran manager Jose Mourinho is returning to the club.
Los Blancos host Athletic Bilbao on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu in their final La Liga match of a turbulent campaign.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez appointed Arbeloa to replace Xabi Alonso in January and he is set to be replaced himself by Portuguese veteran Mourinho.
