soccer

Real Madrid coach Arbeloa confirms exit

Yahoo Sports

Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa has confirmed his exit after four months on the job and ruled out that their would be a job for him under expected successor Jose Mourinho. "It’s clear that this will be my last match this season as coach of Real Madrid, but I don’t know if it will be the last of my life as a Real Madrid coach," Arbeloa said ahead of Saturday's LaLiga season finale against Athletic Bilbao. "Hopefully, it’s a 'see you later' because I have always considered this my home.

I have been part of Real Madrid for 20 years in many roles, and I will always consider it my home. "I want to see a great match and say goodbye to the fans by giving them a victory and a great effort. Playing the last game at home is special and different.

The most important thing on a day like tomorrow is to make them enjoy it. " Former Real and Spain player Arbeloa succeeded Xabi Alonso earlier in the season. But the club finished without a trophy for the second straight year, losing the domestic title race against Barcelona and ousted by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Mourinho, currently in Portugal at Benfica, is widely considered the likely successor and said to be in final talks about a return to the Bernabeu. He coached Real before between 2010 and 2013. Arbeloa said there would be no role for him under Mourinho.

"In Mou’s case, I think he has a fantastic coaching staff, as good as he is, and I think he is very well surrounded. If he comes to Real Madrid, he will do so with his coaching staff, as it should be. There is no possibility that I could be part of it," he said.