Inigo Pérez leaves Rayo Vallecano to become Villarreal head coach, succeeding Marcelino | OneFootball

Inigo Pérez has been appointed Villarreal head coach, succeeding Marcelino. The club announced on Monday that the 38-year-old will take charge.

Pérez leaves Rayo Vallecano, where he began his first senior coaching role in 2024. The Pamplona-born coach now takes over at Villarreal.

A disciple of Marcelo Bielsa, he kept the Madrid suburb side in La Liga and delivered the best league finish in their history, eighth place, which brought Europa Conference League qualification.

In Europe, his Rayo eliminated Strasbourg, 1-0 and 0-1, to reach the Europa Conference League final. They were beaten 1-0 by Crystal Palace.

Villarreal finished third in La Liga under Marcelino, but the former Marseille coach was not retained.

Pérez has signed until 2029 and will coach in the Champions League for the first time.

Source: L'Équipe