Álvaro Arbeloa has confirmed that he will manage his last match as Real Madrid coach on Saturday, at home to Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish league. With the departure of the Spanish former defender from Madrid, the way seems clear for a return of José Mourinho.

There is no place for Arbeloa in the staff of the Portuguese, who also coached Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, the latter hinted during a press moment. Mourinho (63) is still trainer of Benfica, but is seen as a top candidate in Madrid.

“I hope this doesn’t mean goodbye, but see you soon,” said Arbeloa (43), who made his professional football debut at Real Madrid and played more than 200 games there. After his playing career, he became a youth coach. In January he succeeded the dismissed coach Xabi Alonso at the main squad, but was unable to lead the Spanish top club to success.

Real Madrid ends the competition as number two behind FC Barcelona and was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Champions League by Bayern Munich.

Arbeloa: “Madrid is my home. I have been with the club for more than twenty years. Saturday will be my last match of the season. We don’t know yet whether it will be my last ever with the club. I will try to enjoy it.”

“If Mourinho comes, he will bring his own team. He has great people around him. I have put everything aside for the club in recent months. From Monday I will start thinking about my own future. I am ready for a new challenge.”