Nine former players for the club are working to help players have success in the academy and first team
Villarreal CF are a club that, despite reaching the elite of European and domestic football in less than three decades, still maintain the essence that established them as one of the best clubs in our country.
Efficient management and economic balance are two fundamental pillars, as are some of the values that can be breathed in every corner of the José Manuel Llaneza Training Ground: a clear commitment to the youth academy, proximity and a sense of belonging.
The stability of a solid and consistent project, which has grown and matured since the arrival of Fernando Roig, is now supported by the experience of some of its former players. People who were part of its history and who contributed, with their effort and dedication, to turn the Submarine into a consolidated club in the top flight.
In addition to the legendary Marcos Senna, who is the club’s ambassador and representative at all kinds of institutional acts and events, there are nine other former Submarine players integrated into the club’s sporting structure, ensuring the club’s good direction and cultivating the club’s future talents; those called to follow in the footsteps of the legendary first batch of academy players from the Roig era, led by Xisco Nadal, Héctor Font, César Arzo and Miguel Ángel Tena. All of them are now working at Villarreal CF.
Xisco Nadal is the first team delegate, while Héctor Font and César Arzo work with great care in the youth system, as assistant methodology director and assistant head coach of the U18s (Juvenil Roda), respectively. Meanwhile, Miguel Ángel Tena, after a brilliant spell as head coach of the U19s (Juvenil A) and Villarreal C, now holds a more strategic position at the club. He is Villarreal’s director of football.
Another former player who has recently joined the Submarine is David Albelda. In his early years as a professional player, the Valencian was one of the heroes who won Villarreal’s historic first promotion to the First Division. Now, he is in charge of the C team, which is fighting at the top of the table in Group VI of the Tercera RFEF.
Other academy coaches include Mariano Barbosa, goalkeeping coach for Villarreal B; Marcos Gullón, U13s (Infantil Roda) coach; and Joselu Moreno, a member of the coaching staff for both the U19s (Juvenil A) and Juvenil C teams.. The latest to arrive at Villarreal is Tomás Pina. The midfielder, who shone a decade ago under Marcelino and scored a legendary goal against Napoli at San Paolo, is currently training as a coach with Villarreal C, under the guidance of David Albelda.
The knowledge of the club and the impressive footballing background of these nine former players is a great asset for the club. A sure value to give continuity to the playing philosophy and transmit in first person what it means to defend the Villarreal CF colours and crest. With them, the present and the future of the club is in the best hands.
