This Friday, Alvaro Arbeloa appeared in front of the press before the match against Bilbao tomorrow. Appointed at the head of the Real Madrid pennant team last January to succeed Xabi Alonso, the 43-year-old technician has experienced highs but above all quite a few lows. He hopes to finish on a good note tomorrow night. “I want to play a great match, say goodbye to the fans and give them victory. It’s a big effort; playing the last match at home is special. I want to make the BernabĂ©u happy.” Then, it will be time to give up his place since he will leave Real Madrid.
“I hope this is just goodbye.” I have always considered Madrid my home. I’ve been there for 20 years. It’s my home. It’s my last match of the season, I don’t know if it will be the last of my career as Real Madrid coach, you never know. I’ll try to take advantage of it. And I’m focused on winning.” Raised on the subject, he replied “Yes” when a journalist asked him if he confirmed his departure. But he is not bitter or disappointed. “I did what I believed in, and not because I was forced to (by the club, editor’s note).” Arbeloa took advantage of this great experience to gain experience and learn from a locker room full of stars.
Alvaro admits not getting along with all his players
“I am very grateful for everything we have been through. I know that with 25 players, it is impossible to have the same relationship. We had disagreements, that’s normal. We sorted them out as best we could. We respected each other, and the opportunity presented itself in due time. For me, the important thing is always how we handle things, what happens to us. And I managed the situation as best I could, thinking about Real Madrid. In recent months I have thought more about Real Madrid than myself, but I did what was best for the club. At another club it would have been different, but it was what I had to do. I have no regrets.”
He continues: “I have excellent relationships with almost everyone in the locker room (…) Almost everyone has helped me progress, both as a coach and as a person. I bonded with each of them, we talked, sometimes we agreed, sometimes we didn’t. The advantage is that I’ve been there, I’ve experienced these situations, I understand them. Often their perspective is different from that of a coach. It’s easier for me to put myself in their shoes than the other way around. I leave with immense gratitude; they allowed me to become a better person, they made me appreciate every day. I am very grateful to the club for this opportunity, I leave with a light heart after these eight years, leaving behind many friends. I hope I can come back one day.”
A future far from Madrid
Despite a blank season and big problems in the squad, the results are positive when you listen to it. “I knew the state of the team when I arrived. I know what I had to face. If I had started from the beginning, things would have been different. But that’s the situation I found myself in, and I did my best. Not my way, but the best I could. We have accomplished a lot, and I am satisfied with what we have achieved.” Alvaro Arbeloa will therefore leave, he who will give up his seat to a new coach who will be, barring any surprises, JosĂ© Mourinho.
The Portuguese will take control of the team, in the event of Florentino PĂ©rez’s re-election as president of Casa Blanca. Asked about the Special One, Arbeloa was clear: “I’m not here to talk about possibilities. Mourinho has a fantastic technical staff, he is very well surrounded. If he comes, he will come with his team, as he should. There is no question of me joining him (in his staff, editor’s note). I’ve spent the last four months thinking about Real Madrid, now it’s time to think about myself. I have taken the plunge, I feel ready to take on new challenges.” The future will be written elsewhere for Arbeloa, who feels ready to stand on his own two feet.
