Arbeloa confirms departure: One more match and that's it!

(Patria) - Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed today that he will not remain coach of Real after the end of the season, putting an end to speculation about his future at the helm of the Madrid club. Arbeloa said at a press conference on the eve of the match against Athletic Bilbao that it would be his last match in charge of the team.

The former Real defender took over the first team in January, when he was promoted from the reserve squad after Xabi Alonso's dismissal, but failed to bring a trophy to the Madrid club.

His tenure began with elimination from the Copa del Rey by a second-division team, then the team was eliminated in the Champions League quarter-finals by Bayern Munich, while they will finish the league behind champions Barcelona.

Spanish media in recent weeks have indicated that Arbeloa was seen as a temporary solution from the start until a more prominent coaching name arrived during the summer.

Jose Mourinho is mentioned as one of the main candidates for the Real bench, who could return to Madrid 13 years after his first spell at the club. Mourinho managed Benfica this season and recently stated that he will make a decision about his future soon.

Arbeloa said he is leaving this engagement with great experience and ready for new challenges.

"I have taken a big step and progressed a lot in the last four months. I feel ready for new challenges, and from Monday I will think about the next step," said Arbeloa.