Villarreal have officially announced that Iñigo Pérez has become the team's new first-team head coach.

Villarreal FC has announced that Iñigo Pérez has officially become the team's new first-team head coach. The Navarre-based coach has signed a three-year contract with the club, running until June 2029.

Iñigo Pérez, born on January 18, 1988, in Pamplona, Navarre, is a rising star in Spanish football. During his time at Rayo Vallecano, he led the team to the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League final and finished eighth in La Liga in the 2024/25 season, equaling the club's best league finish in history.

Iñigo Perez began his coaching career at Rayo Vallecano as an assistant coach under Iraola. Iraola later moved to England, but Perez was unable to follow due to administrative issues. He only officially became Rayo Vallecano's head coach in February 2024, after Francisco Rodriguez was sacked, thus beginning his independent coaching career.

After signing with the club, Iñigo Perez said: "I am very grateful for this new stage of my career, and I am full of anticipation and motivation. Although the outcome cannot be guaranteed in advance, I strongly agree with family values, ambition, dedication and hard work, which are what I can commit to and uphold."

"When the club extended an invitation to me, I made the decision without much hesitation. It's an important step in my career and also means greater responsibility. My first task upon entering this new environment is to understand the culture and atmosphere here. Those familiar with football know about Fernando Roig's long-term plans and the club's 30-year journey from the grassroots to its achievements in European competitions and youth training. I need time to adapt, but my background gives me confidence that I can integrate well here."

“For me, the first priority is to familiarize myself with the team’s culture and environment, and the second is to gain a deep understanding of the locker room, including the players’ personalities and emotions. This information is crucial for me to develop my coaching philosophy. At the same time, we are also aware that the team is currently third in the league and has a rich history, so we will continue to develop on the existing foundation.”

"The Champions League means a lot to me; I've been a fan of this competition since I was a child. Being able to lead a team in the Champions League is very important for both the club and me personally. We need to find a balance between the Champions League and the domestic league so that the players can maintain a consistent performance in different competition environments, which is also an important task for coaches."

Image source: Internet/ Villarreal official website