Iñigo Pérez, the coach who turned Rayo’s austerity into results, can he repeat it at the Submarino? | OneFootball

Iñigo Pérez turned austerity into performance at Rayo Vallecano, and now takes charge of Villarreal with a stronger hand. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, his track record suggests he can raise ceilings without lavish resources.

Rayo’s 2021 promotion ushered in a core of Isi Palazón, Óscar Trejo, Óscar Valentín and Álvaro García. First under Andoni Iraola and then Pérez, they settled in La Liga and recorded two eighth-place finishes, flirting with Conference League involvement.

With threadbare budgets and modest infrastructure, Pérez built a competitive, recognisable and ambitious side, far removed from a survival-only label. Jorge de Frutos even earned a Spain call-up, emblematic of that uplift.

The contrast in markets is stark. In 2024/25, the season that ended with Rayo qualifying for the Conference League, the club spent zero on transfer fees, then the following summer invested around seven million euros on three signings, Alemao 4.5, Augusto Batalla 1.5 and Fran Pérez 1.

Villarreal are a different proposition in model, structure, facilities and squad, a contrast highlighted by midfielder Santi Comesaña in an interview. The comparison will be inevitable.

Pérez will now oversee a higher calibre group, with numerous internationals, Europa League and European Championship winners, and names such as Georges Mikautadze, Renato Veiga, Nicolas Pépé, Alberto Moleiro and Gerard Moreno. In Vila-real he has greater talent to explore new limits and pursue a major step in his career.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo