Manuel Pellegrini's 2004 precedent offers a calming message for Villarreal CF after their winless start to the La Liga season. The team, now coached by Iñigo Pérez, sits 15th with just two points from three games, according to verified data as of August 31, 2026. A report from Marca recalls how the Chilean coach, then a novice in European football, also needed time to secure his first victory.
How did Pellegrini start in 2004?
Manuel Pellegrini took over Villarreal CF in the 2004/05 season with no prior experience in European football. His start was tough, with a demanding initial schedule. The team did not get its first win until the sixth matchday. Before that, the Yellow Submarine suffered defeats against Valencia (2-1) and Atlético de Madrid (1-0), and drew with Barcelona (0-0), Racing de Santander (1-1), and Sevilla (0-0). The negative streak was broken on October 3, 2004, with a solid 2-0 win against Real Zaragoza at La Cerámica.
That initial patience was rewarded at the end of the campaign. Villarreal CF, with Pellegrini now settled, achieved a historic third-place finish in the La Liga table. This result was not only a sporting success but also opened the doors to the Champions League for the club. The lesson is clear: a poor start does not define an entire season.
What is Villarreal's current situation?
Iñigo Pérez faces a similar scenario of pressure after the opening stages of the competition. The team has two draws and one loss, with four goals scored and five conceded. This leaves them seven points behind the leaders, Real Madrid. The next challenge is immediate: a home match against Deportivo La Coruna on September 5th. The Galician side is seventh, adding difficulty to the fixture.
The September schedule is intense and will be a crucial test. Villarreal CF will play five matches in just fifteen days. Besides the league game against Deportivo, the calendar includes fixtures against Betis, Levante, and Málaga in domestic competition. The major event will be the return to the Champions League with the visit of Borussia Dortmund. Fans can follow the entire match sequence on our fixtures page.
What does this precedent mean for Iñigo Pérez?
Pellegrini's story serves as a valuable reminder about managing time and expectations at a top club. It is not unusual for a new project to need a few matches to solidify ideas and find competitive consistency. Villarreal CF's board, aware of this chapter from its past, is likely to grant the current coaching staff a margin of trust.
The key now is to translate that calm into performance on the pitch. The team must improve its effectiveness, especially in defense where it has conceded five goals. Checking the team stats shows clear areas for improvement. The squad has the quality but needs to quickly find the cohesion that will allow it to climb the standings. The immediate objective is to start picking up points consistently before the international break.
Villarreal CF faces a decisive month where its season can find its direction. The lesson from the past indicates that patience can be a virtue, but the present reality demands quick results. The window to correct course begins with the next match at La Cerámica.
