Iñigo Pérez convinces Roig family as Villarreal plan post-Marcelino future | OneFootball

Iñigo Pérez has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Marcelino at Villarreal, with planning for the next phase already under way. The Roig family, notably chief executive Negueroles, favour the Rayo Vallecano boss.

As reported by as.com, Villarreal’s strong La Liga campaign, and push for third, has accelerated the timetable. Marcelino has secured Champions League football for the second season running with four matches to spare, then moved to confirm what both sides had known since January, an amicable parting.

The club will keep quiet on the successor out of respect to Rayo and the Navarrese coach, and because on Thursday they play the Conference League semi-final second leg, defending a 1-0 lead.

Talks over an extension broke down when one party offered only a one-year deal, which the other read as a loss of confidence and an invitation to depart. Both sides sought a pact to ensure a friendly farewell, while retaining freedom to plan their futures.

Villarreal’s shortlist has focused on Spanish coaches with La Liga know-how, a track record with young players and proven credentials, including Míchel, Giráldez, Imanol and Iñigo Pérez. From the outset, Pérez’s manner and methods have appealed most to the board.

Villarreal now intend to wait until Pérez finishes the season with Rayo before finalising terms, a two-year contract with an optional extra year.

Source: as.com