Alvaro Arbeloa confirms Real Madrid exit at end of season

Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has officially confirmed that he will leave the club at the end of the current season. The 43-year-old took charge in January, succeeding Xabi Alonso, but concludes his tenure following a campaign that yielded no silverware.

His departure comes amidst advanced negotiations for Jose Mourinho, currently with Benfica, to take over the managerial role. Arbeloa clarified that he will not be joining the incoming manager's staff, emphasizing that Mourinho intends to bring his own team 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. There's no chance that I would be with him. Alvaro Arbeloa

The club finishes the season as La Liga runners-up, marking the second consecutive year without a major trophy following their Champions League quarter-final exit to Bayern Munich. Arbeloa, who previously played for the club for seven years, remains hopeful that Saturday's match against Athletic Bilbao will not be a final goodbye to the institution he has served for two decades.

This managerial change marks a significant turning point for the club as they look to move on from a trophyless period. With Arbeloa stepping aside, the focus now shifts to the expected appointment of Mourinho, who previously managed the team from 2010 to 2013.