Spanish Debate: Villarreal - Small Club, Big Ambitions

Guest columnist Steve Porter explains that Villarreal's ambition shows no sign of outstripping their capabilities anytime soon...

Nov 25, 2008 1:31:17 PM

Mellow Yellow: relief for Villarreal as they celebrate following the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over Celtic in the Champions League.

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Vila-real (to give the town its official name in Valencian-Catalan) was only known for its oranges and ceramic tiles until quite recently. It was in the porcelain industry that Valencian entrepreneur Fernando Roig made his name before buying the club for a reported €350,000 in 1997. The Roig wand didn’t take long to work its magic. Within a year Villarreal C.F. were promoted to La Primera for the first time. Their first stay lasted only a season but in 2000 they were back again and have been on an upward trajectory ever since.

Villarreal have several Champions League campaigns behind them now, having lost to Arsenal in the 2006 semi-final, when a missed Riquelme penalty cost them a stab at European football’s ultimate prize. Last season they split Real Madrid and Barcelona in the league to finish second – a comfortable ten points ahead of the Catalan giants.

Secrets Of Success

How on earth is a town of less than fifty thousand souls doing so well both domestically and in the Champions League? Stability, steady growth and a long-term outlook have all been key factors. The concept of a Ferguson or Wenger is unthinkable in Spanish football. Therefore, Manuel Pellegrini’s four years in charge is a significant period of time, which he has used well in order to get the blend right. He favours a 4-4-2 system with two solid central midfielders. Every player knows what is expected of them. The style is very pleasing on the eye. When Villarreal won 2-0 in La Coruña at the end of last season, it was one of the most mesmerising exhibitions of pass and move football that I’ve ever been fortunate enough to see in the flesh.

Roig told Marca last week that sporting facilities have been improved year upon year. In fact, the set up at the Madrigal is a shining example of what a modest club can achieve. The Villarreal youth academy contains around 800 boys (girls are catered for too), while 14 scouts comb Spanish football each week looking for fresh talent. Their reserve team is flying high in Spain’s Eastern Regional League and lately Villarreal have had more players called up to Spain’s U-19’s than any other club.

Then there’s the South American connection. Back in January 2001, there was much scratching of heads throughout Spain and Latin America, when, despite interest from top Italian clubs, the Argentine international Martin Palermo opted for Villarreal. Argentina’s current coach, Diego Maradona was among those who couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Nowadays such signings barely raise an eyebrow. Other notable South Americans that have passed through their ranks include the irrepressible Riquelme, former Argentine captain Sorín, and former Manchester United and current Atlético star, Diego Forlan.

Of course, it is a market their Chilean coach Pellegrini knows very well. The current crop includes Uruguayan centre back Godin, while Spain’s midfield lynchpin Senna played for a host of Brazilian clubs. Edmilson is still trying to find his feet. But he hopes to follow in the footsteps of Riquelme who bloomed in the Madrigal after disappointing at the Nou Camp. Meanwhile, Pellegrini’s compatriot Matí Fernández, affectionally known as Matigol (Matí Goal) is one of the club’s brightest young hopes. Villarreal’s South American links are further enhanced by an agreement with their coach’s former club River Plate. This could mean even more value for money talent coming to Vila-real from that rich footballing continent.

Money, Money, Money

I am forever reading articles and hearing comments about how great it is to see a small club taking on the financial might of Spain and Europe’s traditional giants on such limited resources. Villarreal is a small-town club that doesn’t go in for ludicrous transfer fees, but that doesn’t mean to say they don’t offer good money. World Cup winners like Pires can’t be acquired on the cheap. Villarreal clearly pay very good wages in order to keep victorious European Championship stars happy. There are four in the squad: Senna, Capdevila and Cazorla, along with the aformentioned Frenchman. Cazorla was said to be on the point of joining Real Madrid in the summer in a move that would have boosted the Villarreal coffers to the tune of at least €20 million. But the player agreed to improved terms from Villarreal – not a sign that Villarreal need to sell to the highest bidder or are happy to settle for second best.

That in itself is amazing given that the club were playing in the third division with a 3,000 capacity stadium less than 20 years ago. The Madrigal now holds 25,000 - albeit in slightly cramped fashion - and its impressive facilities are considered worthy of hosting a full international – it did so earlier in the month when Chile visited Spain for a friendly.

Although Vila-real is a small town it is right on the doorstep of Castellón, a city with a population of around 250,000. C.D Castellón are currently in contention for promotion to the top league. But for many years now they have been playing second fiddle. Villarreal are currently the undisputed number one in the province of Castellón. Roig may have gone quiet on his vision of building a new stadium between the towns, but it must be supposed that many youngsters and converts in the larger city have climbed on board the Yellow Submarine in recent times.

More To Come?

The only thing now lacking is a major trophy. Villarreal again look a decent outside bet in the Champions League. But domestically a few chinks have appeared in their armour of late. Their shocking 5-0 reverse at the hands of second division Poli Ejido in the Spanish Cup was an indication that the club’s fringe players may not have enough in their locker to win trophies.

This weekend’s 3-0 home defeat to Valladolid was almost as surprising, especially given Villarreal’s strong starting line up. Already three goals down by half-time, Pellegrini appeared to write off the points and let Senna and Rossi watch the second half from the bench. Centre back Godin is injured and is unlikely to feature against Manchester United. However, Alex Ferguson will be taking nothing for granted as this was Villarreal’s first league defeat since April and their first in the Madrigal for over eleven months.

In other words, for all their modest surroundings, Villarreal looks like, acts like, plays like, and wins like a big club, although they are subject to the odd setback along the way. Can their progress really be stopped by their size, or have they found a winning combination?

Steve Porter

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