  Tributes poured in for Manuel Preciado after the popular Spanish coach died of a heart attack in Valencia at the age of 54 on Thursday, June 7, 2012. (Eloy Alonso/Reuters/Files) |
VILLARREAL, SPAIN - New Villarreal coach Manuel Preciado died Thursday, just one day after he was hired by the Spanish club. He was 54.
Preciado had agreed to a one-year deal at Villarreal, which was relegated from Spain's La Liga last season, and was set to be introduced Friday. He suffered a heart attack in Valencia early Thursday morning.
He played most of his career with Racing and also coached the club in addition to stints with Levante and Sporting Gijon, where he coached from 2006-12, and other clubs.
