Villarreal have made the shock announcement that Coach Marcelino has left the club – just days before their Champions League playoff first leg against Monaco.
Villarreal took to their official website and Twitter account to confirm Marcelino’s departure on Wednesday night, despite a summer that has seen plenty of money spent on new recruits ahead of their return to the Champions League.
According to Marca, there were several disagreements between the Yellow Submarine’s board and Coach that led to the latter’s exit.
It is understood that Villarreal are hoping to quickly appoint Manuel Pellegrini as Marcelino’s replacement, the Chilean having managed the side between 2004 and 2009.
Pellegrini guided them to a best-ever finish of third in La Liga in 2008, but a domestic trainer or interim will be targeted if they cannot clinch a deal for the ex-Manchester City man.
Former Real Zaragoza and Sevilla boss Marcelino took charge of Villarreal in the summer of 2012 after their relegation to La Segunda and the death of predecessor Manolo Preciado and guided them straight back to the top flight.
He then followed up with two sixth and one fourth-place finishes in La Liga, the latter of which led to their Champions League playoff against Monaco, and took the side to consecutive Europa League semi-finals.
