Alvaro Arbeloa will not stay at Real Madrid. © ANSA / Javier Lizon

Alvaro Arbeloa will not remain coach of Real Madrid

Alvaro Arbeloa has confirmed his departure as head coach of Real Madrid. As the 43-year-old announced at a press conference on Friday, Saturday's match against Athletic Club will be his last in charge.

22 May 2026

From: sn

The Spaniard's contract, who succeeded Xabi Alonso in January, was originally set to run until 2027. However, Real Madrid finished the season without a title.

According to Arbeloa himself, a role under the likely new coach Jose Mourinho is not an option. "Real has been my home for twenty years, in various capacities. This will be my last game on the bench this season. I don't know if it will be the last of my life, because you never know," said Arbeloa.

Mourinho is considered the most likely successor

However, he categorically ruled out one possibility: should the Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho become his successor, he would not work with him. "He has a fantastic coaching team and receives excellent support. If he comes here, there is no possibility that I could work with him." Mourinho, currently manager of Benfica, previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013. He is considered Arbeloa's likely successor.

Real Madrid started the season with Xabi Alonso, but after six months the long-time midfield star had to leave. There had been repeated reports of differences with star players like the eccentric Vinicius Junior. Even after Alonso's departure, Arbeloa failed to get Los Blancos back on track. They were eliminated in the Champions League quarter-finals by Bayern Munich, and Barcelona fared better in La Liga.