Alvaro Arbeloa confirms departure from Real Madrid: “I did my best for the club, not my way”
The farewell was in the air and has finally been confirmed. Alvaro Arbeloa, the current coach of Real Madrid, announced that he will step down from his position after the last game of the season, scheduled for Saturday night against Athletic Club. In a farewell filled with emotion and sincerity, Arbeloa revealed that, over the past few months, his decisions have not been entirely independent, always placing the club above his own convictions.
The departure of the Spanish coach, who has led the team for four intense months, was one of the most talked-about topics behind the scenes. With the possible arrival of José Mourinho at the helm, dependent on the political and electoral situation of president Florentino Pérez, the future of Real Madrid opens a new chapter.
“I hope it’s just a ‘see you soon.’ I’ve always considered Real Madrid my home. I’ve been here for 20 years; this is my home. This will be my last game of the season; I don’t know if it will be my last as coach of Real Madrid – you never know. I will try to make the most of it, and I am focused on winning,” said Arbeloa, who confirmed his departure without hesitation.
During his brief tenure, Arbeloa faced notable challenges, including some public tensions with players in the squad. Despite this, the coach held no grudges and emphasized the importance of mutual respect. “I am very grateful for what we experienced together. I know that at 25, you cannot have the same relationship; we had differences, which is normal. They were resolved in the best way, always with respect. For me, what matters is how situations are handled, and I did that thinking always of the Real Madrid,” he emphasized.
The former player, who spent much of his career in the club’s academy, admitted that he had to adapt to a management style that was not entirely his own. “I thought more about Real Madrid than about myself during these months. I did what was best for the club. I was not the same as I was during all those years in the academy. At another club, it would have been different, but that was what I had to do. I have no regrets,” he clarified.
Despite maintaining good relations with most players, Arbeloa acknowledged exceptions. When asked what he would do differently if he could start over, he responded with a smile and without details: “Many things (laughs). I knew the state of the team when I arrived and what I had to face. If I had started from the beginning, it would have been different. But I had to play with the cards I was dealt and I did my best. Not in my way, but in the best way possible. We did many good things and I am satisfied with what we achieved.”
When pressed about the possibility of interference from management in his decisions, Arbeloa avoided controversy: “I’m not going down that path nor giving that interpretation. No one from the club interfered, I just had to think about the club first.”
In a more melancholic tone, the coach revealed the gratitude he feels towards the club and the players: “Almost everyone helped me grow as a coach and a person. I had relationships with everyone, we had conversations, sometimes we agreed, other times we didn’t. The good part is that I was where they are, I went through those situations and I understand them. Often their perspective is different from the coach’s. It’s easier for me to put myself in their shoes than the other way around. I leave with immense gratitude; they made me a better person and made me enjoy every day. I am very thankful to the club for the opportunity, I leave grateful after these eight years, leaving many friends behind. I hope to be able to return one day.”
Regarding the rumor that he could join Mourinho’s coaching staff, Arbeloa was categorical and dismissed the speculation: “I am not here to talk about possibilities. Mourinho has a fantastic and well-supported coaching team. If he comes, he will bring his people, as is natural. There is no chance of me being with him. I have dedicated the last four months to thinking about Real Madrid, now it is time to think about myself. I took the leap and I feel ready for new challenges.”
Arbeloa’s farewell will be officially announced this Saturday at 21:00 CEST, at the Santiago Bernabéu, in a match that will also serve to honor Dani Carvajal in his last game for the team. Real Madrid is preparing to turn an important page in its history and eyes are set on the future that lies ahead.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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