YEREVAN, AUGUST 11, ARMENPRESS. Villarreal have announced the surprise departure of coach Marcelino just a week before their Champions League playoff round first-leg clash with Monaco, ESPN reported.

The 50-year-old, who joined the club in 2013, steered the Yellow Submarine to a fourth-place finish in La Liga last term and had been active in the transfer market this summer, signing Roberto Soriano, Alexandre Pato and Nicola Sansone to bolster his squad for continental competition.

The club revealed the news on their official website late on Wednesday evening, making the following statement: "Villarreal want to wish Marcelino all the best for the rest of his career.

"In the coming hours we will announce a replacement on an interim or permanent basis.''

Reports in Spain suggest Manuel Pellegrini, who left Manchester City in the summer, could return to El Madrigal as head coach. He previously managed Villarreal for five years, reaching the Champions League semifinals in 2006.