Villarreal part with coach Marcelino a week before Champions League play-off match

By Raz Mirza

Thursday 11 August 2016 10:40, UK

Villarreal coach Marcelino has left the Spanish club just a week before they host a Champions League play-off first-leg match against Monaco.

Marcelino and his coaching staff have left without giving a reason, according to the club's website.

The coach had been in charge of the Yellow Submarine since 2013 and guided them to promotion from the second tier and had three straight top-six finishes.

He helped them reach the Europa League semi-finals last season while a fourth-place finish earned a place in the Champions League play-off round.

But Villarreal revealed on Wednesday that the 50-year-old has vacated his post with immediate effect.

They host a Champions League play-off first-leg match against Monaco on Wednesday, and the return match is six days later with a place in the lucrative group stage at stake.