Villarreal have appointed former Barcelona head coach Quique Setien as their new head coach. The veteran has been signed on for two seasons, till 2024.
Setien replaces Unai Emery, who left the club to join Aston Villa in the Premier League after they paid his €6 million release clause. The 64-year-old held his first training session with the team today, and will oversee the first game with them on October 30th against Athletic Club.
Quique Setien joins Villarreal as new head coach
Several other candidates were considered for the job, including Mauricio Pochettino, who turned down the job offer. The rest of the shortlist included Marcelo Gallardo and Marcelino. The Argentine will be leaving River Plate at the end of the year, but hasn’t accepted his next job just yet.
And after productive conversations, the veteran has been offered the job and a total agreement has been reached.
Prior to joining Villarreal, Quique Setien spent two years out of a job after he left Barcelona. Alongside the Blaugranas, Setien was in charge of Real Betis, Las Palmas, Lugo, Logrones, Poli Ejido and Racing Santander.
Villarreal are currently 7th in the league, having picked up 18 points from 11 games. It now remains to be seen how well the new coach can steer the club for the remainder of the season, with a lengthy break incoming as part of the World Cup.
