Arbeloa says he will not coach the team next season, amid reports that Jose Mourinho will return to the club.
Posted on May 22, 2026
Álvaro Arbeloa has confirmed that he will leave his position as Real Madrid coach at the end of a trophyless season.
“Yes,” Arbeloa said at a news conference on Friday when asked to confirm he would not coach the team next season, amid widespread reports that veteran manager Jose Mourinho would return to the club.
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Los Blancos host Athletic Bilbao on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabéu in their final La Liga game of a turbulent campaign.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez appointed Arbeloa to replace Xabi Alonso in January.
The Spanish Arbeloa stated that he would not work as a member of Mourinho’s staff if the Portuguese coach is designated as his successor.
“Mou has a fantastic technical team, he has good people around him, if he comes to Madrid he will do it with his team,” said Arbeloa.
“There’s no chance I’ll be with him. So, my future… starting Monday I’ll think about that.”
Arbeloa, who played for Madrid from 2009 to 2016 and then coached there at youth level, said he hoped this match would be a “see you later” rather than a goodbye.
“I hope it’s a see you later… I have always considered this my home, I have belonged to Madrid for 20 years in various positions,” said Arbeloa.
“It will be my last game this season as coach of Real Madrid, I don’t know if it will be the last game of my life as coach of Real Madrid.
“We never know. I’ll try to enjoy it and try to get the win.”
