Marcelino García Toral is set to part ways with Villarreal CF at the end of the season, even after leading the club to qualification for the UEFA Champions League. The club confirmed the development on Monday.
This marks the second consecutive year the Yellow Submarine have secured a place in Europe’s elite competition. However, reports suggest Marcelino and the club could not reach an agreement over a contract renewal.
The 60-year-old manager is currently in his second stint with Villarreal, having first managed the team between 2013 and 2016 before returning in 2023.
During his recent tenure, he guided the team from a relegation battle in the 2023/24 season to an eighth-place finish, and then improved their standing to fifth place the following season, securing Champions League qualification.
A dominant 5–1 victory over Levante UD on Saturday sealed their top-four position — they currently sit third — and ensured back-to-back appearances in the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
Meanwhile, Íñigo Pérez, who currently manages Rayo Vallecano, is reportedly among the leading candidates to replace Marcelino.
Rayo Vallecano, currently in mid-table, are enjoying only their second-ever European campaign and hold a 1–0 advantage heading into the second leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final against RC Strasbourg Alsace on Thursday.
