Marcelino García Toral is experiencing a moment of tranquility after the end of his second spell at Villarreal. The 60-year-old Asturian coach ended the 2025/26 season by qualifying Submarino Amarelo for the Champions League for the second consecutive time, with third place in La Liga.
In an interview with MARCA, the coach is enjoying a vacation with no date set for his return to the field. He acknowledges having received proposals, but reinforces his cautious stance when choosing the next club.
Villarreal ended the campaign with 72 points, overcoming challenges such as important injuries (including Logan Costa) and the constant need to rebuild for European competitions. Despite an irregular performance in the Champions League, the team responded strongly in the domestic league, including a 5-1 thrashing of Atlético de Madrid that sealed the position.
Satisfaction with the work performed
Marcelino highlighted the merit of the season, which started without four starters from the previous campaign. The team faced repeated absences, but recovered and secured their European place in advance. For him, qualifying the club for the Champions League in two consecutive seasons, starting from complicated situations, represents a relevant achievement in Villarreal’s recent trajectory.
The Asturian implicitly compared the two periods at the club: in the first spell (2013-2016), he took the team into the Second Division and left it in a high position; in the second, he took over the team at a delicate moment and delivered consistent results, generating added value in transfers.
Disagreement over contract duration
The departure occurred because Villarreal only offered a one-year renewal, while Marcelino and his coaching staff demanded at least two. Both parties maintained firm positions, which led to the termination of the relationship on June 30. The coach stressed that there was no personal disagreement and praised the treatment received by the Roigs, highlighting freedom of work and cordiality.
He mentioned the hiring of Iñigo Pérez for three years as a natural decision for the club, without resentment, and accepted that the board would choose to renew with a new coach.
Look abroad
With La Liga’s main benches already occupied for next season, Marcelino sees the international market as a natural path of progression. He admits to studying options outside of Spain, including more demanding leagues, as long as the project is convincing both sportingly and economically. English is a tool you want to improve.
The coach plans to watch the World Cup partially, prioritizing disconnection while not returning to day-to-day football. He reinforces that choosing is more difficult than training and that, after recent achievements, patience is essential to avoid past mistakes.
