Marcelino departs Villarreal after Champions League qualification, contract talks stall
Synopsis
Villarreal and Marcelino part ways despite securing Champions League football for next season. Contract negotiations broke down at the start of the year, and a disappointing European campaign — finishing 35th of 36 in the Champions League group stage — appears to have sealed the decision. Rayo Vallecano's Inigo Perez is the frontrunner to replace him.
Key Takeaways
Marcelino Garcia Toral will depart Villarreal at the end of the season after two and a half years in his second spell.
Villarreal secured Champions League qualification with a 5-1 victory over Levante , sitting third in La Liga with a five-point lead over Atlético Madrid .
Contract renewal talks failed at the start of the year, leading to the mutual decision to part.
The club finished 35th of 36 teams in the Champions League group stage and exited the Copa del Rey to second-division Racing Santander .
Rayo Vallecano's Inigo Perez is the preferred candidate to succeed Marcelino next season.
Villarreal CF confirmed on Saturday that head coach Marcelino Garcia Toral will leave the club at the end of the season after two and a half years in his second spell, despite securing Champions League qualification following a 5-1 home victory over Levante. The announcement came via social media after the result left the east-coast La Liga club third with a five-point cushion over Atlético Madrid.
How the departure came about
The parting had been widely anticipated after Marcelino and Villarreal failed to agree on contract terms at the start of the year. The club issued a statement expressing gratitude: "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Marce, for everything you have given to this club and these fans. We wish you all the best in your future sporting endeavours."
Marcelino's tenure in context
The Asturian coach returned to Villarreal as the club's third manager of the season in November 2023 following a brief stint at Olympique Marseille. His initial remit was to stabilise the club in La Liga after a turbulent start; he delivered, and Villarreal subsequently finished fifth last season and qualified for European football. During his tenure, he led the club into the Champions League twice.
European disappointments weigh on decision
However, Villarreal's continental campaign proved a significant setback. The club managed only one draw and seven defeats across eight group-stage games, finishing 35th of 36 teams in the competition. A Copa del Rey exit to second-division Racing Santander in the round of 32 compounded the European malaise. These setbacks, despite another strong domestic league finish, appear to have influenced the mutual decision to part ways.
Marcelino's parting words
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Marcelino signalled his imminent departure, saying: "We have to follow certain timelines, and those timelines are determined by conversations and mutual agreement. When we arrived here, we had several objectives: on a sporting level, to change a very negative dynamic, to eliminate the fear and uncertainty that the team had. We achieved that. We managed to rejuvenate the squad on the sporting side, and finally, we want to leave as friends when the time comes."
Succession planning underway
Rayo Vallecano coach Inigo Perez is reportedly the club's preferred candidate to take the helm next season, signalling Villarreal's intention to maintain continuity in their tactical approach.
Point of View
Yet the club's abject European showing — 35th of 36 in the group stage — appears to have hastened his exit. The failed contract talks at the start of the year suggest the relationship had already frayed. For a coach who stabilised a sinking ship, Marcelino leaves with his domestic legacy intact but his European ambitions unfulfilled. Inigo Perez inherits a club that has learned to win in La Liga but has yet to prove itself can compete in Europe.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Marcelino leaving Villarreal despite Champions League qualification?
Marcelino and Villarreal failed to reach agreement on a new contract at the start of the year. While the coach secured Champions League qualification, the club's poor European campaign — finishing 35th of 36 in the group stage — and a Copa del Rey exit to Racing Santander appear to have influenced the mutual decision to part ways.
How long has Marcelino been at Villarreal?
Marcelino returned to Villarreal in November 2023 for his second spell at the club, making it two and a half years in total. He initially stabilised the club in La Liga and subsequently led them to Champions League qualification twice during his tenure.
What is Villarreal's current league position?
Villarreal finished third in La Liga with a five-point cushion over Atlético Madrid in fourth place, securing Champions League qualification for next season.
Who is expected to replace Marcelino as Villarreal's next coach?
Rayo Vallecano coach Inigo Perez is thought to be the club's preferred candidate to take over as head coach for the next season.
What were Villarreal's European results under Marcelino?
Villarreal had a disappointing Champions League campaign, recording seven defeats and one draw across eight group-stage matches to finish 35th of 36 teams. The club also exited the Copa del Rey in the round of 32, losing to second-division Racing Santander.
