Villarreal have announced that they have contracted former manager Marcelino Garcia Toral to replace Pacheta at the helm, as the Yellow Submarine turn to their third manager of the season.
Quique Setien lasted just four games into the season before he was sacked, but matters did not improve under Pacheta. The former Real Valladolid coach won 5 of his 12 matches, but just two of those wins were in La Liga, and both came against the bottom two. It leaves Villarreal hovering in 14th, 5 points above the drop, and 10 away from Europe.
@VillarrealCFen have appointed Marcelino Garcia Toral as Pacheta's replacement, returning to the club where he spent four seasons between 2012 and 2016.
During that time he took the Yellow Submarine from Segunda to the Champions League.pic.twitter.com/vcuREEdSG1
— Football España (@footballespana_) November 13, 2023
Marcelino previously spent three-and-a-half years with Villarreal from 2013 to 2016, during which time he took them from Segunda to the Champions League, finishing 6th in the two seasons between. He has since spent time at Valencia and Athletic Club, winning honours with both, before a short stint with Olympique Marseille this season.
His demanding nature brought to an end relations first time around, but it looks as if in Villarreal’s moment of need, the Yellow Submarine have been willing to cede to his demands. He signs a three-and-a-half year deal until 2026, as he looks to get them back on track as one of Europe’s best overachievers.
