\n
MADRID (AP) \u2014 \u00c1lvaro Arbeloa has acknowledged what many Spanish soccer fans have taken for granted for weeks: He will not be Real Madrid’s manager after Saturday’s final game of the season.<\/p>\n
Asked at Friday’s press conference whether the match against Athletic Bilbao would be his last, Arbeloa replied: “Yes.”<\/p>\n
Arbeloa was widely expected to leave after failing to lead the team to the title this season after being promoted from the club’s reserve team in January to replace the sacked Xabi Alonso.<\/p>\n
In Arbeloa’s debut, Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey to a second division opponent. They were then eliminated by Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, and finished second in La Liga, losing to Barcelona.<\/p>\n
Unless the team performed well under Arbeloa, it was thought that he would become interim manager until the club found a better option in the off-season.<\/p>\n
And it is progressing, with the Spanish media full of reports that Madrid are seriously considering him. Bring back Jose Mourinho<\/span> His second stint comes 13 years after he coached the club.<\/p>\nMourinho has been coaching Benfica this season but recently said he would decide on his future soon.<\/p>\n
Arbeloa, 43, said he would seek “new challenges” after learning from his first major coaching job.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have already made great strides and grown a lot over the past four months and feel ready for new challenges,\u201d Arbeloa said. “I’ll think about them starting Monday.”<\/p>\n
Say goodbye to Carvajal and Alaba<\/h2>\n
Saturday will also be the final match for veteran defenders Dani Carvajal and David Alaba, whose contracts are nearing the end of their contracts.<\/p>\n
Carvajal, a 34-year-old right-back, has helped Madrid win six Champions League titles since 2013, while Alaba, 33, has helped them win two of those European Cups since joining in 2021.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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