As happens every year at this point in the season, once the competition ends, the coaching merry-go-round begins. Some announced weeks ago that this would be their final season, as is the case with Ernesto Valverde, who is leaving Athletic after four years managing the Rojiblancos during his third stint at the club.

Álvaro Arbeloa is another who said before the season ended that he was leaving, as his results at the helm of Real Madrid during his five months as manager have not been good. But there are also those who are changing clubs despite having achieved their goals. This is the case with Marcelino García Toral, who is leaving Villarreal after finishing third in the EA Sports La Liga.

Among those who have confirmed they are staying, Hansi Flick stands out, having renewed his contract with Barcelona through 2028. Others continuing are Simeone at Atlético de Madrid, Claudio Giráldez at Celta, Matarazzo at Real Sociedad, Manolo González at Espanyol, Luis García Plaza at Sevilla, Corberan at Valencia, and Quique Sánchez Flores at Alavés.

Coaching Situations in the EA Sports League

• Barcelona – Flick stays
• Real Madrid – Arbeloa is leaving
• Villarreal – Marcelino is leaving and Iñigo Pérez has been confirmed
• Atlético Madrid – Simeone stays
• Betis – It is unknown if Pellegrini will stay
• Celta Vigo – Claudio Giráldez stays
• Getafe – It is unknown if Bordalás will stay
• Rayo Vallecano – Iñigo Pérez is leaving
• Valencia – Corberán stays
• Real Sociedad – Matarazzo stays
• Espanyol – Manolo González stays
• Athletic – Valverde is leaving and Terzic has been confirmed
• Sevilla – Luis García Plaza stays
• Alavés – Quique Sánchez Flores stays
• Elche – Eder Sarabia is leaving
• Levante – Luis Castro stays
• Osasuna – Lisci is leaving
• Mallorca – Demichellis stays
• Girona – Michel is leaving
• Oviedo – Almada is leaving

Announcements of new coaches begin

Just as the departures or firings of coaches for the 2025/2026 season have been announced, signings for the 2026/2027 season are already being announced. This is the case for Villarreal and Athletic. Both the Yellow Submarine and the San Mamés side have already officially announced who their coaches will be for the upcoming season.

The new man on the bench at La Cerámica will be Iñigo Pérez. The Pamplona-born coach arrives at the Castellón-based club after two magnificent seasons with Rayo Vallecano. In his first season, he secured qualification for the Conference League, and in his second, he reached the first final in the history of the Vallecas-based club. And he did all this while ensuring his team played excellent soccer.

Terzic is coming to San Mamés. The German coach had been without a team since his stint at Borussia Dortmund, with whom he reached the Champions League final and came close to winning the Bundesliga. His challenge will be to restore Athletic’s identity and competitiveness. Finally, the third team to be promoted from the Hypermotion League remains to be determined. The two teams that have already secured their spots in the First Division—Racing Santander and Deportivo La Coruña—will continue with Jose Alberto and Antonio Hidalgo, respectively.

Final Standings of the EA Sports League 2025/2026

1. Barcelona 94 points
2. Real Madrid 86 points
3. Villarreal 72 points
4. Atlético de Madrid 69 points
5. Betis 60 points
6. Celta de Vigo 54 points
7. Getafe 51 points
8. Rayo Vallecano 50 points
9. Valencia 49 points
10. Real Sociedad 46 points
11. Espanyol 46 points
12. Athletic 45 points
13. Sevilla 43 points
14. Alavés 43 points
15. Elche 43 points
16. Levante 42 points
17. Osasuna 42 points
18. Mallorca 42 points
19. Girona 41 points
20. Oviedo 29 points