The club's statement, published on realmadrid.com on Tuesday June 9, read: "Real Madrid CF and Álvaro Arbeloa have reached an agreement to end his time as first team coach. Real Madrid is very grateful to Álvaro Arbeloa, who throughout his career at the club, since he arrived at our academy, has always shown loyalty, commitment and professionalism.
"His figure represents an example of the values of our club. Real Madrid, which will always be their home, wishes Álvaro Arbeloa and his entire family the best of luck in this new stage of their lives."
Arbeloa had taken charge of the first team on January 12, on the same day that the club announced the shock dismissal of Xabi Alonso — who had himself been in post for just seven months.
Alonso left the club second in LaLiga, four points behind Barcelona, seventh in the Champions League group phase and in the last sixteen of the Copa del Rey. Privately, the situation had become untenable. A dressing room divided by friction between senior players — most publicly the altercation between Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, first reported by MARCA — had made his position unworkable.
Arbeloa inherited both the squad and those tensions. Under his management, Real Madrid recovered to lead LaLiga at one stage and reached the Champions League quarter-finals before elimination by Bayern Munich. It was not enough to save the season. No title arrived and no peace was restored in the squad.
Real Madrid have now dismissed two head coaches within a single calendar year — a sequence without precedent in the club's recent history.
Arbeloa, speaking at his final press conference in May, expressed hope that his departure would prove to be temporary.
"I hope that this farewell is just a 'see you later' remark, as I have always considered Real Madrid my home after spending two decades here."
He dismissed suggestions he might join the backroom staff of incoming head coach José Mourinho, who is expected to be formally presented at Valdebebas this week. Arbeloa also will not be returning to his previous post as Castilla coach.
The rebuilding of Real Madrid begins now, under very different management.