Former Rayo Vallecano boss Inigo Perez named new Villarreal head coach

Inigo Perez is the new head coach of Villarreal
Inigo Perez is the new head coach of VillarrealTOBIAS SCHWARZ / AFP

The arrival of Inigo Perez to Villarreal was considered a done deal, especially after he announced his departure from Rayo Vallecano following their defeat in the Conference League final against Crystal Palace. However, this Monday it became official.

Inigo Perez will take charge of Villarreal until 2029. The Castellón club made the announcement in an official statement.

"Villarreal CF have reached an agreement with Iñigo Pérez, who will become the first-team head coach for the next three seasons, until June 2029.

"The Navarrese coach will be presented as the club’s new manager tomorrow, Tuesday June 2, at 6.30pm, at the Club 1923 inside the Estadio de la Cerámica. The event, exclusive to media, will be streamed live on Villarreal CF’s official social media channels.

Rayo's best ever league finish

The club statement continued: "Inigo Perez Soto (Pamplona, Navarre, January 18, 1988) is a young Spanish coach who has managed Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga. As Rayo’s head coach, he reached the UEFA Conference League final (2025/26) and matched the club’s best-ever top-flight finish (eighth place in 2024/25).

"His coaching career began at Rayo Vallecano, where he worked as assistant to Andoni Iraola. When Iraola moved to English football, Inigo Perez was unable to follow due to bureaucratic issues and went on to take charge of the Madrid-based side in February 2024, succeeding Francisco Rodriguez after his dismissal.

"In addition to his promising coaching career, Inigo Perez was also a professional footballer. During his playing days, he represented Athletic Club, SD Huesca, RCD Mallorca, CD Numancia and CA Osasuna, the club where he retired in 2022."

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