This time he departs with a record of 298 games managed, 145 wins and consecutive Champions League qualifications secured for the first time in the Yellow Submarine's existence.
It was not supposed to end this way. The 60-year-old Asturian and Villarreal were in discussions over a contract extension as recently as March, but a fundamental disagreement over the length ended the talks. The club offered a single year with a conditional option for a second. Marcelino wanted longer — a commitment that reflected the ambition of the project he believed he had built.
Neither side blinked. The announcement was made in early May.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the end of the season, Marcelino was candid about the peculiarity of managing while both parties know the end date.
"The situation is not the same for a manager directing a project when he knows it has an end — and the players know it too — as when you have the authority that a contract gives you," he said. "But we are very grateful to the players because they always respected us, they competed admirably."
He acknowledged that knowing since January he would not continue made the final months professionally complex, but insisted the discretion maintained by all parties — club, technical staff and squad — meant it had no visible impact on performance.
"We managed this stretch of competition very well," he said. "Both the club and ourselves knew how to keep things discreet so it had no influence on sporting performance."
The third-place finish brought 72 points and qualification for the Champions League group stage next season. It was, by any measure, a successful campaign — even if the club's European form this year was disappointing, with Villarreal picking up just one point from eight Champions League matches in the league phase.
On what comes next, Marcelino was careful not to overcommit — but clearer than expected on one point.
"In Spain it is very complicated. Very complicated," he said. "If I don't start coaching immediately then yes, I'll be in Spain, but if not, I see it quite difficult to be coaching in Spain next season."
He admitted that coaching abroad — something he was previously resistant to — is now a genuine option.
"We are at a moment in our career where it is a possibility we are considering very seriously," he said. "There were other moments where we were more reticent, I in particular. But now you have to analyse all the circumstances."
He disclosed his English remains limited — a legacy of studying French at school — but expressed confidence in his ability to learn enough to communicate the concepts that matter.
Reports have linked him with interest from Premier League clubs. Villarreal, meanwhile, are understood to be considering Rayo Vallecano coach Íñigo Pérez as Marcelino's successor.
He leaves with the club in better shape than he found it. He always does.