Iñigo Pérez to start at Villarreal, his first week mapped out | OneFootball

Iñigo Pérez takes charge of Villarreal on Monday, 1 June 2026, days after bidding farewell to Rayo Vallecano. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the club will confirm his arrival in the coming hours, with a formal presentation on Tuesday.

At Rayo he delivered two eighth-place finishes, a Conference runners-up medal, and 44 wins in 113 matches. He departs with broad acclaim from the dressing room, board and fans.

On Friday he said his objectives had been met and that he felt at peace, then declined a renewal offer with gratitude. He now makes a major step up, taking over a team that finished third and will compete in the Champions League. He announced his decision alongside Raúl Martín Presa after a little over two years in charge.

He is due to remain in Vila-real for the rest of the week to immerse himself in the club, its facilities and staff. He is also set to be a regular at the Ciudad Deportiva Pamesa from Friday to Sunday for the 33rd Pamesa LaLiga FC Futures tournament, where prospects hope to follow Pau Navarro and Carlos Maciá.

A long summer is anticipated, theoretically with fewer ins and outs than in 2025, as Pérez and the sporting department shape the squad. The challenge is to improve in the Champions League by reaching at least the play-offs, repeat a league podium, and finally make progress in the Copa del Rey.

Immediate decisions include finalising pre-season, and after several setbacks indications suggest part of the work will be in the Alps. Subject to official confirmation, Villarreal are expected to take part in the Como Cup from 28 July to 1 August, alongside the hosts, Crystal Palace, Lens and Al-Ula of Saudi Arabia, with one more team to be confirmed. Crystal Palace recently won the Conference against Pérez’s Rayo.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo