News Focus
- Marcelino Garcia Toral will depart Villarreal CF when his contract expires this summer
- The club has secured consecutive UEFA Champions League spots for the first time ever
- The 60-year-old leaves as the club’s record holder for matches managed and victories
- Rayo Vallecano manager Inigo Perez is lined up as the likely successor
Villarreal CF have confirmed that manager Marcelino Garcia Toral will step down at the end of the current campaign. The announcement comes just days after the Yellow Submarine sealed their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
The 60-year-old Spaniard will depart when his contract runs out this summer. This brings an end to his second spell in charge at the Estadio de la Cerámica. He first led the team between 2013 and 2016, then returned in 2023.
During his time at the club, Marcelino has guided the team to back-to-back top-five finishes in La Liga. This success means the club will compete in Europe’s premier competition for two consecutive years. It is the first time Villarreal have achieved this feat in their entire history.
The Asturian coach will leave as the most successful manager in the club’s history. He has taken charge of 298 matches across his two spells, winning 145 of them. Both numbers represent club records. The board has praised his professionalism and dedication throughout his seven total seasons with the team.
Recent weeks saw speculation about a possible contract extension. However, talks between the manager and the club broke down. The official statement confirms that both parties agreed to separate when the season concludes.
The club plans to honour Marcelino during their final league match against Atlético de Madrid. This fixture will serve as both a farewell celebration for the departing coach and a party to mark their European qualification with the fans.
Villarreal have already identified a replacement. Inigo Perez, who currently manages Rayo Vallecano, has reached a preliminary agreement to take over. However, officials still need to finalise certain details before they can confirm the appointment.