Villarreal CF is celebrating three decades of Fernando Roig as club president, a milestone that cements him as the longest-serving active president in Europe's top five leagues. The Yellow Submarine has launched a special logo to commemorate this anniversary throughout the 2026/27 season. The celebration comes as the team, 15th in La Liga with 2 points from three games, prepares to host Deportivo La Coruña at La Cerámica.
Roig, who became majority shareholder in May 1997, has radically transformed the club. In his first season in charge, Villarreal achieved promotion to the top flight. That was just the first step in a project that has taken the team to historic heights, including UEFA Cup semi-finals in 2004, Champions League semi-finals in 2006 and 2022, a La Liga runners-up finish in the 2000s, and the Europa League triumph in Gdansk in 2021.
Who are the longest-serving presidents in Europe?
Fernando Roig tops the list of presidents with the most continuity at clubs in Europe's top five leagues. He is followed by Getafe's Ángel Torres with 25 seasons, and Atlético de Madrid's Enrique Cerezo and Real Madrid's Florentino Pérez, both with 24. The longevity list is completed by Lazio's Claudio Lotito and Napoli's Aurelio De Laurentiis (23 seasons each), Nantes' Waldemar Kita (19), and Brighton's Tony Bloom (17).
Roig's tenure now approaches the historical record for longevity at a single club in Spain, set by Santiago Bernabéu at Real Madrid with 35 years. The yellow president has been the architect of an era of stability and sustained growth, something rare in modern football. His leadership has enabled Villarreal to compete regularly in Europe, including next season's second consecutive Champions League participation.
What is the team's current form for this anniversary?
The current sporting context of Villarreal CF adds a special nuance to the celebration. The team started the 2026/27 season with a record of zero wins, two draws, and one loss in their first three league games. With 4 goals scored and 5 conceded, the team is searching for its best form in a championship where they already trail leaders Barcelona by 7 points.
The immediate next challenge is the home match against eighth-placed Deportivo La Coruña this Saturday, September 5th. A victory would serve as the perfect gift for the presidential anniversary and help the team climb positions in the standings. Fans can follow the team's progress and check all squad data on our stats page.
What does this commemorative logo represent?
The special logo created for the occasion will be the visual centerpiece of all activations and content the club will deploy over the coming months. It symbolizes three decades of football, growth, and success at Villarreal, in the words of Fernando Roig himself. It is not just a decorative symbol, but the representation of a sporting project that has made Villarreal CF a reference club.
This anniversary highlights the importance of continuity in a sport marked by immediacy. While other clubs change owners or directors frequently, Villarreal has built its identity on a solid foundation and a long-term plan. The next match against Deportivo La Coruña at La Cerámica will be the first official event where the new emblem will be present, marking the start of a year of celebrations. The details of the full season schedule are available on our fixtures calendar.
