Real Madrid sack Alvaro Arbeloa, eye Mourinho appointment

Real Madrid C.F. have made the sacking of manager Alvaro Arbeloa official. Jose Mourinho is expected to be announced as his replacement this week. Arbeloa was promoted last summer to manage Castilla after several successful seasons in the youth ranks. He won the UEFA Youth League with the under‑19 side. After Xabi Alonso was dismissed in January, Arbeloa took over the senior side. The senior side was eliminated by Albacete in the Copa del Rey. They also exited the Champions League at the quarter‑final stage. In La Liga they finished some way off Barcelona. Real Madrid released a statement saying the club and Alvaro Arbeloa have reached an agreement to end his tenure as first‑team coach. The statement thanked Arbeloa for his loyalty, commitment and professionalism since joining the academy. President Florentino Perez confirmed the club will always be Arbeloa’s home. Benfica confirmed Los Blancos activated his €15 million release clause. Mourinho arrived in Madrid on Tuesday and signed a three‑year contract. His first spell at Real Madrid lasted three years and ended in 2013. Since then he has managed Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, AS Roma and Fenerbahçe. The image accompanying the announcement was taken by Angel Martinez.