They say never go back. What can be gained by returning to a place of previous success and positive sensations? Surely the second time around will only flatter to deceive? Marcelino García Toral and Villarreal clearly disagree with those sentiments and have agreed to resume their relationship, seven years on from what was a messy break-up.
A year is a long time in football, let alone seven. Just over 12 months ago, Unai Emery was still at the helm of the Yellow Submarine, the man who had delivered on the dreams of winning a European title. The man who had led them to the Champions League semi-finals just five months prior.
The passage of time since then has been one of suffering for Villarreal and their fans. Two coaches have been hired and fired in that time – Quique Setién and Pacheta – both questioned almost constantly throughout their tenures.
It became abundantly clear that Fernando Roig wanted to bring back Marcelino, one of the greatest coaches in the history of the club, and probably the one with the greatest emotional connection to the institution. The club have been lucky to have had the likes of Manuel Pellegrini and Emery on their bench, but none of those took the club of a journey like Marcelino did in his first spell in charge, from 2013 to 2016.
Having already won promotions with Recreativo de Huelva and Real Zaragoza, Villarreal turned to him when they fired Julio Velázquez as the club were outside the play-off positions having been relegated the year before. Despite a hammering at the hands of Real Madrid Castilla in his first game, Marcelino led Villarreal to automatic promotion, losing only once more in the remaining 20 games of the season (against title winners Elche at that).
There were jubilant scenes in the streets of Vila-real as they celebrated an instant return to LaLiga. Once there, Marcelino quickly got to work establishing the side as not just stable, but challenging for European positions. In their first full season, they finished 6th before repeating that feat in 2014/15.
2015/16 was their best season yet, qualifying for the Champions League and reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League. They took a first-leg lead to Anfield, but fell short to Jürgen Klopp’s reds, who were themselves beaten in the final by Emery’s Sevilla.
However, it was events at the culmination of that season which led to the divorce. Having secured a place in the top four, Villarreal faced a dead rubber to close their campaign.
However, it was a hugely significant match in the battle for survival. The Yellow Submarine were in Gijón to face Sporting. This was the club of Marcelino’s heart, having been a player and coach there. There were whispers that he was happy to lose the game if it meant his boyhood club survived. He even admitted he hoped they would stay up in front of the media. Sure enough, a number of key players were left out and Sporting won 2-0 to save themselves and condemn Rayo and Getafe, much to the indignation of those respective clubs. To add fuel to the fire, Marcelino’s wife posted a message on social media to the effect of “leaving Asturias with the job done”, spiralling the situation further. Three months later, ahead of a Champions League play-off, the Asturian coach was dispensed with.
Roig insisted he didn’t sack Marcelino over that incident alone, though did not deny it played a part. Dressing room tensions and a growing weariness about Marcelino’s strict regime were also reported factors.
Seven years on, Villarreal are in need of a saviour once again, and have returned to a former favourite. Time has proved to be a great healer, with bridges mended and affection restored. The late, great José Manuel Llaneza was working hard to bring the parties closer together in the hope that one day they could reunite.
In the interim, Marcelino has enjoyed a lot of success, and the exits were mainly out of his control. Valencia won the Copa del Rey in their centenary season, beating Barcelona in the final, but the well-documented ownership at the club ultimately forced him out for precisely that triumph. Then, at Athletic Club, he won a Supercopa de España, also against Barça, before the new presidential candidates openly sounded out alternatives as their choices of coach for the ballot.
Villarreal will not be an easy job for Marcelino, but he is not one to shy away from challenges. Just look at his last choice of club. The club are in a precarious position and are feeling sorry for themselves, but they are far from in crisis. A squad with talent if not balance is at his disposal. If he can solidify the defence as is his trademark, he will have a strong platform. They are a group of players who need firm direction from an experienced head, and there can be few better choices in Spain.
The club are still in the Copa and in the Europa League, so more glory could be a short-term target. The Asturian coach has demanded a lot, but the club are happy to give him the keys, such is the esteem and respect he is clearly held in. Going back is always risky, but in this case, it is a return trip definitely worth embarking upon.