Villarreal CF has announced that coach Marcelino García Toral will leave the club after the current LaLiga season. The decision ends his successful second spell in charge, during which he secured Champions League qualification for two straight years. The club expressed deep gratitude for his contributions over 298 matches.
Villarreal CF issued a statement on Monday confirming that Marcelino and his staff will part ways at the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign. Marcelino returned to the Yellow Submarine in November 2023, leading the team to third place in LaLiga with four matches remaining and back-to-back UEFA Champions League spots—the first such achievement in club history. He holds club records for most games coached at 298 and most wins with 145 across two stints from 2013-2016 and 2023-2026, as per the club's announcement. During his tenure, Villarreal earned five European qualifications, reached the Europa League semi-finals in 2016 and Copa del Rey semis in 2015, and won promotion to LaLiga in 2013. The club plans a tribute in their final LaLiga home game against Atlético de Madrid at Estadio de la Cerámica, celebrating the Champions League qualification with fans. “Villarreal CF would like to publicly thank Marcelino and his coaching staff for their professionalism, commitment and hard work,” the statement read. “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Marce. Thank you for everything you have given to this club and its supporters. We wish you all the best in your future sporting projects.”
