Álvaro Arbeloa signed off as Real Madrid coach with a 4-2 win over Athletic Bilbao at the Bernabéu.

Arbeloa took over from new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso in January and, despite another trophyless campaign, steered the club into a second-place finish, finishing eight points behind champions Barcelona.

Former manager Jose Mourinho is widely reported to be set to leave Benfica in the summer and return for a second spell at the Bernabéu, 13 years after his departure.

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Real Madrid went ahead in the 12th minute when Gonzalo García converted a sweeping cross from Dani Carvajal out on the right.

Thiago Pitarch saw his shot saved by Athletic keeper Álex Padilla before then turning provider to create a second goal for the home side four minutes ahead of half-time.

There looked little on when Pitarch picked the ball up in a central position just inside the Athletic half, before he scooped a high pass on into the penalty box.

Jude Bellingham -- named in England's World Cup squad on Friday -- strode forwards, took the ball down on his chest before then dispatching a fine left-foot half-volley into the net.

Bilbao reduced the deficit in first-half stoppage time when Iñaki Williams clipped in a cross from the right side of the penalty area and Gorka Guruzeta swept the ball past Thibaut Courtois.

Kylian Mbappé, though, soon restored Real's two-goal advantage in the 51st minute when he took a pass from Álvaro Carreras on the left edge of the penalty area and rifled a shot into the far corner.

France forward Mbappe was denied another just after the hour when Padilla came out to save his angled drive at the near post.

In the 69th minute, defender David Alaba -- another player making his final appearance before a summer departure at the end of his contract -- was given a guard of honour by his Real Madrid teammates and warm applause from the supporters as he was substituted for Dean Huijsen.

Long-serving Real Madrid captain Carvajal was then given similar treatment when he went off for the final eight minutes, both teams gathering to show their appreciation for the 34-year-old, who won six Champions League titles with his boyhood side.

Brahim Díaz added a late fourth for Real, which was given following a VAR review for offside as he latched onto a pass into the box.

Urko Izeta headed in Athletic's second during added time, marking the end of Ernesto Valverde's latest stay as manager of the Basque club, having taken charge of more than 500 games through three spells.