Alvaro Arbeloa is leaving Real Madrid: He will not work with José Mourinho

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa is leaving the club at the end of the season. The outgoing manager also confirmed that he is not interested in working with Mourinho if he returns to coach the club this year.

Álvaro Arbeloa reveals Xabi Alonso wished him luck after becoming Real Madrid manager (AP Photo)

Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed on Friday that he will leave the club at the end of the season, ending a stunning and chaotic spell in charge. Arbeloa made the announcement ahead of Madrid’s final LaLiga game of the campaign, which takes place on Sunday, May 24.

Arbeloa took charge of Real Madrid on an interim basis after the club sacked Xabi Alonso in January. However, the Spaniard has failed to lead Madrid to a single trophy this season, with results and dressing room issues quickly derailing the campaign.

The situation within the squad reportedly worsened during the second half of the season. Midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde were involved in a major altercation on the training ground earlier this month, with the Uruguayan later requiring medical attention following the clash.

Amid growing speculation linking Jose Mourinho with a sensational return to the Santiago Bernabeu, Arbeloa made it clear that Sunday’s game will be his last in charge and ruled out remaining as part of Mourinho’s coaching staff.

“Mou has a fantastic technical team, he has good people around him. If he comes to Madrid, he comes with his team,” said Arbeloa.

“There’s no way I’d be with him. Then I’ll be thinking about my future from Monday.”

Arbeloa, who represented Real Madrid between 2009 and 2016 before later returning as a coach at youth level, admitted he still hoped to return to the club one day.

“I hope to see you later. I always considered it my home. I belonged to Madrid for 20 years in different roles,” said Arbeloa.

“It will be my last game this season as Real Madrid coach. I don’t know if it will be the last game of my life as Real Madrid coach.”

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Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

22 May 2026 16:30 IST

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