“He was an excellent person whom I was able to get to know very closely, a friend with whom I shared many moments that I will always remember.” These words are part of the heartfelt message that Marcelino transmitted on social networks upon learning of the death of José Manuel Llaneza Durá, vice-president of Villarreal CF, due to leukemia against which he had been fighting for several months.
The Careñes coach coincided with Llaneza from 2013 to 2016, during his time on the bench at the Castellón team. A period that, beyond the good results, cemented a special relationship with a crucial person for Villarreal’s growth in recent decades. That affinity motivated the presence of Marcelino at the funeral of José Manuel, officiated at the Santa Marta Parish in the Valencian town of Puçol.
Among the crowd that attended the event were many figures related to football. Fernando Roig and Fernando Roig Negueroles led the Villarreal CF representation, which also included Unai Emery. Marcelino went with his assistant Rubén Uría. Emilio Butragueño, Raúl González, Mateu Alemany, Javi Calleja, Joan Capdevila, Fran Escribá or Vlado Gudelj were other attendees.