Villarreal Manager Marcelino Departs at Season’s End Over Contract Dispute

Marcelino to leave Villarreal

The 60-year-old, who has managed 298 games for Villarreal, is departing after the club offered only a one-year extension while he wanted a long-term project. 

Marcelino returned in 2023 and has been linked with Premier League clubs following Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup wins earlier in his career...

Villarreal manager Marcelino will depart at the end of the season, the club confirmed Monday, even after securing Champions League qualification for the second year running.

The 60-year-old previously managed Villarreal from 2013 to 2016, leading them back to LaLiga, and has overseen more games than any other coach in the club’s history with 298 matches across all competitions.

Villarreal are third in LaLiga with four games left, a spot that locks in Champions League football for next season. It marks the first time in the club’s history they’ll compete in Europe’s top competition in back-to-back years.

𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓: @Marcelino

Villarreal CF and Marcelino García Toral will part ways at the end of the current campaign

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… pic.twitter.com/suRr0Xrslt

— Villarreal CF English (@VillarrealCFen) May 4, 2026

Reports say Villarreal offered Marcelino only a one-year extension, while he was pushing for a longer-term plan. The mismatch in vision led to the decision to split.

Marcelino returned to Villarreal in 2023 after winning the Copa del Rey with Valencia in 2019 and the Spanish Super Cup with Athletic Bilbao in 2021. He’s since been linked with several Premier League clubs.