After 16 months in charge, Claude Puel’s time as Leicester City manager came to an abrupt end on Sunday following a 4-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace.
A long time in the making, the Frenchman’s sacking left the Foxes in 12th with 32 points in 27 games, and without Vicente Iborra.
The Spanish defensive midfielder was sold to Villarreal in January for £9m after a year and a half with the Premier League club, making just eight league appearances under Puel this season, three of which were starts.
This led the 31-year-old to seek a move away from the club, which he was granted, and he’s now already played more minutes with his new club in just under two months.
He said: “I don’t regret it. I wanted to live a new experience. In the end, the football situation wasn’t the best, no matter how hard I worked and I searched for solutions. Returning to my home country has been very positive. I’m grateful towards Villarreal and I want to repay that trust”.
Throughout his stay at King Power Stadium, Iborra made 37 appearances in all competitions, scored four goals and picked up two assists.