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Villarreal Commence Renewal Talks with Marcelino Following Historic Milestone

Villarreal's head coach Marcelino

Key Takeaways:

  • Initial discussions have begun between Marcelino and Villarreal’s management regarding a potential contract extension
  • The Asturian coach reached 260 matches in charge of Villarreal, surpassing Manuel Pellegrini’s record
  • Since arriving in November 2023, Marcelino steered the team into Champions League qualification and now holds 128 wins with the club

Contract Renewal Developments

Villarreal have initiated steps to secure the future of manager Marcelino. Early talks have already taken place between the club leadership and the coach to lay the groundwork for extending his current agreement.

While specifics such as contract duration and financial terms have yet to be addressed, these initial conversations have focused on mutual intentions and aspirations. Both Marcelino and the club are fully aligned, each expressing a clear desire to continue their association. This alignment suggests that finalising contractual details should be a straightforward process.

Marcelino’s Transformation of Villarreal

Appointed in November 2023, Marcelino and his coaching staff revitalised Villarreal following Unai Emery’s unexpected exit. Under his leadership, the club not only secured Champions League qualification but also consistently delivered high-level performances. The existing contract, signed at the time of his arrival, is set to run until June 2026; however, the foundations for a further extension have now been established, building upon a strong relationship characterised by mutual respect.

To date, discussions have taken place directly between Marcelino and the Roig family. The next phase, expected to unfold in the coming weeks, will involve his representatives, who will help to formalise aspects such as contract length and financial arrangements.

Historic Managerial Record at Villarreal

Marcelino’s significance at Villarreal was further underscored when he recently became the club’s most-capped manager, leading the team for his 260th match. This milestone occurred against Real Betis, managed by Manuel Pellegrini, with whom Marcelino previously shared the record.

ManagerTotal Matches ManagedWinsEra
Marcelino2601282012/13, 2023 – present
Manuel Pellegrini2571232004-2009

Of Marcelino’s 206 La Liga fixtures, 21 were from the 2012/13 Segunda Division campaign during which Villarreal achieved promotion. In addition, he has overseen 20 Copa del Rey matches and 33 European fixtures, with 31 appearances in the Europa League and 3 in the Champions League. This season’s success has also seen Marcelino become the coach with the most wins in Villarreal’s history, now tallying 128 victories, ahead of Pellegrini’s 123.


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