Villarreal’s Resurgence Under Marcelino: A Path to Champions League Qualification

Villarreal currently ranks third in LaLiga and is considered a strong favorite to secure a Champions League spot for the next season. This season, the team has returned to the prestigious continental competition, although an unexpected defeat in Cyprus has complicated their chances of advancing from the group stage. This challenge stands out as a significant concern, especially when looking back two years, when such aspirations seemed almost unattainable. The turning point in the recent history of the yellow team can be traced back to the arrival of Marcelino.

On November 13, 2023, Marcelino returned to the press room at the Estadio de La Cerámica as the local coach, a scenario that seemed unimaginable years earlier when he left the club under strained circumstances due to disagreements with the management. Time has healed those rifts, and the club’s recognition of the need for an experienced coach to navigate a difficult period led to his return. Under “Marce’s” leadership, the team transitioned from fighting to avoid relegation to once again challenging the top teams in the league.

One memorable quote from Marcelino during his introduction was, “My name is Marcelino García; I am neither Salvador nor Milagros.” This statement has been put to the test, given the remarkable transformation that has occurred at La Cerámica. When he took charge, the team was struggling, having already seen two coaches—Setién and Pacheta—leave within two months. At that time, Villarreal was close to relegation and 20 points adrift of Champions League qualification. However, the team managed to fight for a European spot that season and reached the Round of 16 in the Europa League.

This was just the beginning of the team’s reconstruction, which began to take shape the following summer under Marcelino’s guidance. His commitment to infusing youth and strength into the squad aimed to align the team’s playstyle with modern football trends, resulting in a significant step forward. Over time, Villarreal regained its defensive solidity through rigorous daily training—Marcelino’s key strategy—ultimately leading the club back into Champions League contention.

In the two years since Marcelino’s return, Villarreal has transformed from a team teetering near the relegation zone (13th place, just five points above the drop) to its current position of third, with 26 points and only five points behind the league leaders. At the time of his arrival, the team had conceded 21 goals in 12 matches, making them one of the most porous defenses in the league. Presently, they share the distinction of having the fewest goals conceded in LaLiga, alongside Real Madrid, with only 10 goals allowed.

These statistics exemplify the recovery of a team that bears little resemblance to the one Marcelino found upon his return. The numbers illustrate that, in terms of achieving objectives, Marcelino’s tenure at Villarreal has been a success in every season he has led the team. Notably, this season he became the coach with the most official matches in the club’s history, surpassing the previous record held by Chilean coach Pellegrini.

His contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026, and preliminary informal discussions for a renewal have already begun, as reported by MARCA.