Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has officially confirmed that he will be leaving the club after their final match of the season against Athletic Club on Saturday night. Arbeloa acknowledged that his decisions during his tenure were often guided by what was best for the club rather than personal preference.

Speculation about Arbeloa’s future had been one of the most talked-about topics in recent weeks, with Jose Mourinho widely expected to return to the Santiago Bernabeu as his successor. This transition, however, may depend on whether President Florentino Perez faces opposition in the upcoming club elections.

“I hope this is just a ‘see you later.’ I’ve always viewed Real Madrid as my home. I’ve been part of this club for 20 years; it’s my family. This is my last match of the season, and I don’t know whether it will be my final one as Real Madrid manager — you can never be sure. I’ll try to enjoy it and focus on winning,” Arbeloa said, confirming his departure.

Another major point of discussion was Arbeloa’s relationship with the players, as reports of disagreements with some members of the squad had become public over his four-month stint. The coach emphasised that he held no resentment toward those players, explaining that his decisions were always made with the club’s interests in mind.

“I’m very thankful to them for everything we’ve experienced together. I understand that at 25, relationships are different. We’ve had our differences, which is normal, but we resolved them as best we could. We respected each other, and opportunities came when they did. For me, what matters most is how you handle situations, and I’ve done so with Real Madrid always in mind,” he shared.

“Over these past few months, I’ve put Real Madrid ahead of myself and done what I believed was right for the club. I haven’t been the same as I was all those years in the academy. Things might have been different at another club, but I did what I had to do. I have no regrets.”

He added with a smile, “I get along really well with almost everyone,” hinting that there were a few exceptions.

Arbeloa further elaborated that he couldn’t always act entirely on his own terms. When asked if he would have made different choices under other circumstances, he replied without giving specifics.

“A lot (laughs). I know what condition the team was in when I arrived and what challenges I had to face. If I had started from the beginning, things might have been different. But this is what I was given, and I’ve tried to do my best — not necessarily my way, but the right way. We’ve done many good things, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved.”

When directly asked whether his decisions were influenced by higher management, Arbeloa carefully avoided controversial remarks, saying, “I’m not going down that path or giving that interpretation. No one from the club interfered; I simply had to put the club first.”

Appearing somewhat reflective in his final pre-match press conference, Arbeloa spoke about what the experience had meant to him personally and professionally.

“Almost everyone has helped me grow as both a coach and a person. I’ve spoken with all of them — sometimes we agreed, sometimes we didn’t. The good part is that I’ve been in their position before, I understand their perspective, which is often different from that of a coach.”

“It’s easier for me to put myself in their shoes than for them to understand my perspective. I leave with deep gratitude. They’ve helped me become a better person and made me enjoy every single day. I’m incredibly thankful to the club for giving me this opportunity. After eight years here, I leave with many friends and great memories. Hopefully, I can come back one day.”

With reports suggesting that Mourinho might want a former Real Madrid player in his coaching team, some had speculated that Arbeloa could join his staff. However, Arbeloa firmly dismissed that idea.

“I’m not here to talk about possibilities. Mourinho already has an excellent coaching staff and great support. If he comes, he’ll bring his own people, as he should. There’s absolutely no chance I’d be part of that. For the past four months, my focus has been entirely on Real Madrid; now it’s time to think about myself. I’ve taken a big step forward and feel ready for new challenges.”

Arbeloa will take charge of his final game at 21:00 CEST on Saturday night at the Santiago Bernabeu against Athletic Club. The match will also mark a farewell tribute to Dani Carvajal in his last appearance at the Bernabeu.