With Jose Mourinho’s imminent return to the Real Madrid bench, a spot needed to be made for him first. And even though it might have seemed otherwise - and he himself had said his goodbyes to Real Madrid in his last press conference - Alvaro Arbeloa was still the head coach of Real Madrid’s first team.
Not anymore. With Mourinho waiting for his moment to return to the Bernabeu, it was only a matter of hours before the departure of Arbeloa would be announced.
"Real Madrid and Alvaro Arbeloa have reached an agreement to end his time as head coach of the first team. Real Madrid is deeply grateful to Alvaro Arbeloa, who throughout his career at the club, ever since he joined our youth academy, has always shown loyalty, commitment, and professionalism," they said in a statement.
"He is a true example of our club’s values. Real Madrid, which will always be his home, wishes Alvaro Arbeloa and his entire family the best of luck in this new chapter of their lives."