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Villarreal appoints Escriba as head coach

Following Marcelino's departure on Wednesday, La Liga club Villarreal has installed Fran Escriba as its new boss.

Fran Escriba has been appointed as Villarreal's head coach for the 2016-17 season, the La Liga club has confirmed.

Villarreal issued a statement on Wednesday confirming Marcelino had "ceased to be the coach" of the team which reached the Europa League semifinals and finished fourth in Spain's top flight last season – sealing qualification for the Champions League following an eight-year exile.

The club thanked Marcelino for the "great success" he achieved at El Madrigal but reports in Spain suggested both a rift with the board over its offseason transfer policy and a breakdown in locker-room relations on account of stripping defender Mateo Musacchio of the captaincy.