 In the following season, he returned to his native community after being appointed as Athletic Bilbao as a replacement for sacked Félix Sarriugarte, with the "Lions" eventually ranking 17th, the lowest place outside the relegation zone.However, despite the club remaining in the top division he was not invited to continue in the role – Joaquín Caparrós was brought in as coach following the election of a new president ().Mané's last job was in the 2008–09 campaign, as he was one of three coaches at RCD Espanyol who also eventually avoided top division relegation.