The Villarreal legend makes his debut on the touchline in charge of the U19s and promises that they’ll be a brave team
Pepe Reina is back home and more excited than ever. After hanging up his gloves this past season at Italian side Como, the former Villarreal goalkeeper now begins a new chapter in the dugout as head coach of the club’s U19s (Juvenil A) in the División de Honor.
A Villarreal and Spain legend
Reina joined Villarreal CF from FC Barcelona at the age of 20 and quickly became a key figure between the sticks for the Yellow Submarine from 2002 to 2005. During this first spell, he helped the team lift two Intertoto Cups and played a major part in securing a historic qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
Following a long and successful career at some of Europe’s top clubs, including Liverpool and Bayern Munich, Reina returned to Villarreal in the 2022/23 season—17 years after his first spell—to defend the club’s goal once again. He went on to make a total of 191 appearances for Villarreal across both spells.
During that 2022/23 campaign, Reina made his 1,000th professional appearance in a match against Cádiz. The club marked the milestone with a heartfelt tribute, unveiling a large banner at the Estadio de la Cerámica featuring his image and the number of matches played throughout his distinguished career.
How does Pepe Reina feel right now?
“First of all, I feel like I am at home. That sense of belonging is important and I feel privileged to start this new chapter with the Villarreal U19s. Not everyone gets that chance. I am grateful for the trust the club has shown and for the resources they have given me. I have been given a fantastic coaching team with really hard-working people and a group of players who are already leaving me speechless. Their attitude, desire, curiosity and body language in every session have been exceptional. There are lots of positives so far.”
Was it hard to make the decision to retire?
“Not really. Around the middle of last season, I started feeling a bit mentally tired, so I decided to step away from playing. Then I got the call from Fernando and Miguel, and we started thinking things through. Eventually, everything came together. I’m really thankful.”
How was your farewell to football?
“There were a lot of years and a lot of moments, but I wanted to enjoy everything right to the end. That felt right. Every trip was the last one. In the dressing room we joked about it. ‘This is your last trip,’ ‘your last bus ride,’ ‘your last hotel stay.’ We did a countdown in a way. The last match did not go as expected, but I was happy, proud and above all thankful for what has been a very special career.”
What kind of coach will Pepe Reina be?
“I will try to stay true to the values I had as a player. I want to be honest, loyal and fair, as much as the players see it that way. Not everyone will think I am being fair, but that is part of the job. I want to build a healthy dressing room, promote competition and demand, and instil a culture of effort. That has always defined me.”
What will be the playing style of the U19s?
“We want to be bold, brave, and take the initiative. We’ll follow the club’s philosophy: playing good football, being organised, treating the ball well, and taking control of matches.”
Which coaches do you relate to most?
“The playing style will be similar in some ways to what Mauricio Sarri proposed, in terms of dynamics and some specific aspects. On a personal level, Gattuso made a big impact on me. There was a great connection with everyone, especially those who played a bit less. That is important and something I want to look after. You learn from everyone, even from mistakes. As a player there were things I did not like and now I want to avoid repeating them. I will try to take something from each coach in different moments.”
What have you found in the dressing room?
“A very humble group. From the first moment, the respect they have shown to me and my staff has been exceptional. Their dedication, effort, commitment and willingness to learn and listen have really stood out. It is a very generous group and with teams like this you can go far. Managing the dressing room is key. I have an outstanding group in terms of staff who know the league and the players better than I do. I will rely on them. I also like to get to know the players personally. I will talk to them one-on-one when needed, and I will also speak collectively. I believe in making sure that every player feels part of the project, looked after and pushed to be their best.”
What kind of season are you expecting?
“A really exciting one. I have told the boys this is the final step before professional football. It is the last stage before the top and a key moment for all of them. We also have the chance to compete in a fantastic tournament like the UEFA Youth League. It is a competition we have not really made our mark on for some time. The aim is to be competitive again and to make people talk about Villarreal.”
What are your objectives?
“The goal is to improve the players. The club’s objective is to protect its most valuable asset, which is the academy. We want to help as many players as possible take the next step and become mature, ready-made footballers who can succeed in the professional game from next season onwards. On a team level we want to be competitive in every competition.”
How was your first day back at the training ground?
“It was a little strange, especially after being here for so long. The kitchen staff and kit staff were maybe even more surprised than I was. But it was all full of affection. Like I said, I am at home here and I feel very comfortable. It took me about half an hour to settle in.”
Happy to be back in Vila-real with the family
“We are very happy. We have a lot of family here and my sons will be able to play for the U14s and U16s. My wife is delighted to be back in her town and we are all very pleased. Honestly, this was a decision we were going to make anyway, regardless of football. We were always going to move back here. The fact that I can also start coaching at Villarreal is a huge bonus.”
What can Pepe Reina teach the academy goalkeepers?
“I am lucky to work with Marc Ramírez, who is one of the best goalkeeping coaches I had in my career. He will take care of them and I trust him completely. He will help them improve and grow. I will be keeping a close eye on things as well. It is only natural. It is the position I know best.”
Do you see yourself coaching for a long time?
“That is the plan. As long as the first steps go well and I do not put a foot wrong. I am determined and confident that I can do this. Of course I still have a lot to learn. I need to prepare, improve and keep growing. I am staying alert so I can do that quickly and reach the level of demand that is required. For now it is exciting to be on the other side. I can feel the players listening to me and respecting me. I have also been very lucky with the staff I have been given. They are making this transition much smoother for me.”
