The Yellow Submarine in danger of sinking through the La Liga net?

Fifth last season ensured Villarreal qualification for the Europa League. Now one of Spain’s most established clubs find themselves in a relegation dogfight.

Many could argue that last seasons’ success merely papered over the cracks. The decline may have begun after Marcelino left the club in 2016. During his three year spell, he went on to achieve three top six finishes, including a fourth place finish and a run into the Europa League semi final’s in his last season at Villarreal.

Marcelino reinvigorated a team who was in a state of chaos. Relegated in 2012, a far cry from a team once touted as a model for all smaller clubs to aspire to, the Spanish manager found himself having to pick up the pieces in the second division.

However, after spearheading a return to La Liga at the first time of asking, Marcelino instilled a clear togetherness and defensive solidarity. Under the Spanish boss they were a compact unit who were then expansive in possession. The cohesion among the ranks enabled Villarreal to have a degree of sustained success over a three to four year period.