Former Real Madrid defender, Álvaro Arbeloa, has confirmed he will leave the club after overseeing a disappointing campaign that ended without silverware, while José Mourinho has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed him at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Arbeloa’s departure comes only months after he replaced Xabi Alonso in January, with the former defender unable to turn around the club’s fortunes during a difficult second half of the season.
According to the BBC, Mourinho is currently the leading candidate for the role and the only manager actively in discussions with Real Madrid, as club president Florentino Pérez looks to appoint a new coach before preparations for next season begin.
The 43-year-old confirmed his exit after Real Madrid finished a second straight season without winning a major trophy.
Speaking ahead of the club’s final match of the campaign, Arbeloa admitted frustration over the outcome of the season but expressed gratitude to the club and supporters for their support during his tenure.
“I gave everything I had for this club, as I always have,” Arbeloa said following confirmation of his exit.
The former Spain international also dismissed suggestions he could become part of Mourinho’s backroom staff if the Portuguese coach returns to Madrid.
“Mou has a fantastic technical team, he’s got good people around him, if he comes to Madrid he will come with his team,” said Arbeloa.
“There’s no chance that I would be with him. Then, my future… from Monday I’ll think about that.”
Real Madrid endured a frustrating season that saw them surrender the La Liga title to rivals Barcelona and suffer elimination from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
The campaign was further complicated by reports of dressing-room divisions and tension involving senior members of the squad, piling pressure on the club’s hierarchy to make sweeping changes ahead of next season.
Arbeloa, who represented Real Madrid between 2009 and 2016, said he hopes his departure will not mark the end of his connection with the club.
“I hope it’s a see you later… I’ve always considered this my home, I’ve belonged to Madrid for 20 years in various roles,” 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 and enjoy it and try to get the win.”
BBC Sport also reported that Perez initially explored the possibility of bringing Mourinho back shortly after Alonso’s exit earlier this year, with talks between both parties now said to be advancing.
Mourinho, currently in charge of Benfica, recently declined to comment in detail about speculation surrounding his future until after Benfica’s final game of the season.
“There’s a match against Estoril, and from Monday onwards I’ll be able to answer questions about my future as a coach and Benfica’s future,” Mourinho said.
Reports indicate the Portuguese manager has a clause in his Benfica contract that would allow him to leave this summer for a relatively modest fee.
Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, guiding the Spanish giants to La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup success during his first spell in charge.
Club officials are believed to see Mourinho as the ideal figure to restore authority, discipline and a winning mentality within a squad that struggled both on and off the pitch throughout the season.
Should he complete a return to the Bernabéu, Mourinho is expected to face immediate pressure to revive the club and re-establish Real Madrid among Europe’s dominant forces.
