Key Takeaways:
- President Raul Martin Presa has confirmed Inigo Perez will exit Rayo Vallecano after 2.5 years at the helm
- Perez led Rayo to their first-ever European final in the Conference League and back-to-back 8th-place league finishes
- Multiple reports suggest Perez will join Villarreal this summer, with an agreement in place but not yet signed
Perez’s Successful Spell Comes to an End
Rayo Vallecano President Raul Martin Presa has officially announced that Inigo Perez will depart the club this summer, following the expiry of his contract. Perez, who has served 2.5 years in charge at Vallecas, leaves after achieving unprecedented success, most notably steering Rayo to their first-ever European final in the Conference League and securing successive 8th-place finishes in the domestic campaign.
😢 Iñigo Pérez
GRACIAS por hacernos soñar pic.twitter.com/Djb0uNEV76
— Unión Rayo (@UnionRayo) May 28, 2026
Heartbreak in Leipzig Marks Final Match
Perez was visibly emotional following Rayo’s 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace in Leipzig – a match that now stands as his last with the club. Twice when questioned about his future after the game, Perez remarked it was “not the right moment” to address his next steps. However, several hours later, Diario AS reported that the manager would not continue in his position at Rayo.
President and Sporting Director Reflect on Departure
Speaking to Marca, President Raul Martin Presa stated: “I’m not sure who will coach the team next year,” reflecting on the uncertainty ahead for the club. He added, “He’s a great coach and a good person, but I would have liked him to stay for life, and I told him so. I wanted a project similar to Simeone’s at Atletico Madrid, but the club and the badge come before everyone and decisions have to be made.”
Ahead of the final, Sporting Director David Cobeno had also commented on the situation, explaining that, although there had been no search for a new coach, retaining Perez would be “difficult.”
Next Steps: Villarreal Beckons
Several sources have reported in recent months that Perez is set to move on to Villarreal this summer. While no formal contract has been signed, an agreement has reportedly been in place for several weeks, if not months. Unless there is an unexpected twist, Perez will be managing at La Ceramica next season. This move would see Perez take command of a club with consistent European ambitions, positioning him in the Champions League for only his fourth season in management.
