The Villarreal CF era of Marcelino García Toral has come to a close, as he steps down after a second stint with the club. The Spanish coach, who returned to the club in 2023, led Villarreal to back-to-back qualifications for the Champions League, a first in the club's history. This historic achievement marks the end of a memorable career with the club, during which Marcelino also set a new record for the most matches coached in the club's history, with 298 appearances and 145 wins.
Marcelino's tenure at Villarreal has been marked by significant achievements, including the club's return to the top tier of Spanish football in 2013 and five European competitions in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. The coach also led the team to semi-finals in the Europa League in 2016 and the Copa del Rey in 2015, solidifying his legacy at the club.
The club will honor Marcelino in the final match of the LaLiga season against Atlético Madrid at the Estadio de la Cerámica, celebrating the club's qualification for the Champions League with fans in attendance.
In a statement, Villarreal expressed gratitude to Marcelino and his technical team for their professionalism, dedication, and hard work from the first day. The club also recognized Marcelino's significant contribution to the development of the team during his seven seasons of coaching the club in two stints (2013-2016 and 2023-2026).
Marcelino leaves behind a lasting legacy and a record of achievements that will be remembered for years to come at Villarreal.
