After a titleless season
Real Madrid fire Arbeloa – way for Mourinho
Updated June 9, 2026 – 9:20 p.mReading time: 1 min.
After much speculation, Real Madrid have made their separation from coach Álvaro Arbeloa official. The successor will probably be an old acquaintance.
Spanish football club Real Madrid has parted ways with coach Álvaro Arbeloa. The 43-year-old took over the team in January, but was unable to prevent a second titleless season in a row.
Arbeloa took over for the dismissed Xabi Alonso. In La Liga he finished the season in second place behind arch-rivals FC Barcelona. In the Champions League, Real were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Bayern Munich. His contract was valid until summer 2027.
In its statement on Tuesday, the club said goodbye to Arbeloa with the following words: “Real Madrid is deeply grateful to Álvaro Arbeloa, who has demonstrated loyalty, commitment and professionalism throughout his career at the club, since joining our academy. His personality is a true example of the values of our club.”
Arbeloa previously had a long career as a player at Real. As world champion in 2010, he then worked his way up as a coach from the youth to the first team.
This clears the way for José Mourinho. The Portuguese’s return to the Spanish capital after 13 years is said to have been decided. Apparently Real has to pay a transfer fee of 15 million euros to Benfica Lisbon.