Marcelino (foto: Uradni Twitter profil kluba/zveze)
Marcelino García Toral will leave Villarreal after leading the club to back-to-back Champions League qualifications, ending a successful second spell.
Villarreal have confirmed that Marcelino García Toral will leave the club at the end of the season, despite leading the Yellow Submarine to another major milestone.
The experienced Spanish coach has guided Villarreal to Champions League qualification for the second season in a row, a historic achievement for the club.
His departure comes after talks over a new contract failed to produce an agreement. Villarreal offered a short-term extension, while Marcelino wanted stronger backing and a longer sporting commitment.
The club also plans to control costs, give more space to young players, and build a more sustainable model. That direction did not fully match Marcelino’s vision for the next phase of the project.
His second spell has strengthened his status as one of the most important coaches in Villarreal’s history. Across both periods at the club, he has managed 298 official matches and recorded 145 victories, more than any other coach in the club’s history.
Marcelino first took charge in 2013 and led Villarreal back to La Liga, a key moment in the club’s modern era. After spells with Valencia, Athletic Club and Marseille, he returned in 2023 and once again delivered results above expectations.
His exit adds another major name to a lively summer coaching market in La Liga, with changes also expected at Real Madrid and Athletic Club.