Marcelino García Toral is returning to Villarreal…

The Spanish team has handed the reins to the 58-year-old Spanish football manager and former player, Villarreal’s former coach, the LaLiga club has announced.

Marcelino replaces José “Pacheta” Rojo Martín, who was fired on Friday after managing only five wins in 12 games in all competitions.

Pacheta had only taken over the role in September after the dismissal of Quique Setién.

Marcelino has signed a contract through June 2026. He first joined Villarreal in 2013, helping win promotion to LaLiga and leading the team to three straight top-six finishes.

They reached the Europa League semifinals in the 2015-16 campaign, losing to Liverpool, and finished fourth in LaLiga.

He parted company with Villarreal days before the start of the 2016-17 campaign.

Marcelino inherits a team that is 14th in LaLiga, with only three wins from 13 matches.

Sunday’s 3-1 loss at Atletico Madrid was Villarreal’s seventh league loss of the campaign.

Villarreal are back in action on November 26 when they host Osasuna.