Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Tuesday, 05 May 2026, 18:23 / Updated Tuesday, 05 May 2026 18:23
Inigo Perez (38), the coach of Rayo Vallecano, is the main candidate for Villarreal's technical bench, after the “yellow submarine” announced the separation from Marcelino Garcia Toral (60).
Marcelino qualified Villarreal for the Champions League for the second consecutive season with 4 legs to go in the La Liga season. Immediately after achieving his goal, the Spanish technician signaled to the club that it was time to officially announce what both parties had decided since January, the coach's departure.
Inigo Perez is the main favorite for Villarreal's bench
Villarreal owner Fernando Roig has already drawn up a list of potential replacements for Marcelino, and first on the list is Rayo Vallecano's current coach Inigo Perez, according to Spaniards at as.com.
There were several names on the list with a similar profile, coaches who know La Liga very well, including Michel, Giraldez and Imanol. However, Inigo Perez was the most liked by the club management.
Inigo Perez, coach of Rayo Vallecano
Villarreal are now waiting for the end of the season to put the coach on the table, which will be valid for two years, with an option to extend for another.
Inigo Perez played as a central midfielder for teams such as Basconia, Athletic Bilbao, Huesca, Mallorca, Numancia and Osasuna, where he ended his career in 2022. Since February 2024, Inigo Perez has been the coach of Rayo Vallecano, a team with which he is now in the semi-finals of the Conference League.
The second leg of the penultimate act was won by Rayo at home with a score of 1-0 against the French from Strasbourg.
Rayo Vallecano are also in the running to qualify for a European cup and via the Championship. With 4 stages before the end, the team for which Andrei Rațiu plays is in 11th place, with 42 points, 5 behind the 6th place holder, Celta Vigo, the team for which the Romanian goalkeeper Ionuț Radu plays.
Rayo Vallecano still have Girona, Valencia, Villarreal and Alaves to play in La Liga.
La Liga standings
