Roig lays down Champions League gauntlet for Marcelino's Villarreal
Villarreal president Fernando Roig has made European qualification the club's top priority for 2026, challenging the squad to make history with back-to-back Champions League appearances.
Villarreal’s big cheese Fernando Roig has his sights set firmly on the Champions League, making it crystal clear that qualification for Europe’s top competition is the Yellow Submarine’s main mission for 2026.
Mixed feelings about current campaign
During the club’s traditional Christmas toast, Roig gave his assessment of Villarreal’s season so far - and it wasn’t all mince pies and mulled wine. While he expressed relative satisfaction with their domestic form, he wasn’t shy about pointing out where they’ve fallen short.
The president acknowledged their “great performance in La Liga” but didn’t beat around the bush regarding their disappointing European campaign and early Copa del Rey exit. Reading between the lines, Roig clearly expected more from the team in the Champions League this term.
Historic challenge laid down
What’s particularly interesting is Roig’s ambitious target for next season. He’s challenging Marcelino and the squad to make club history by qualifying for the Champions League for a second consecutive year - something Villarreal have never achieved before.
“We need to play Champions League again,” Roig stated to club employees, making it abundantly clear this isn’t just a pipe dream but a serious objective that “both the manager and players need to keep in mind.”
Balancing act
The president isn’t naive about the difficulties this presents. He acknowledged the strain that Champions League football places on a club of Villarreal’s size, noting how participation “affects everything else.”
Nevertheless, Roig believes they’re on the right track to pull off this historic achievement, which would represent “great satisfaction and success” for the modest club from La Plana.
For Marcelino, the message couldn’t be clearer - his bread and butter will be securing that top-four spot come May. After their recent wobbles in Europe, the gaffer knows exactly what’s expected of him and his yellow army.