Villarreal coach Fran Escriba has said that even though he did not accomplish the aim of guiding his team into the Champions League, the setback has helped forge a stronger unit.
Six days after replacing Marcelino -- who was surprisingly sacked on Aug. 11 -- Escriba was at the helm. Villarreal subsequently lost at home to Monaco, 2-1, before falling 3-1 on aggregate to leave the Spanish team in the Europa League.
The Yellow Submarine have bounced back with an unbeaten run in both La Liga and Europe.
"We didn't start the way we would have liked. The team and the club expected to reach the Champions League group stages but I didn't feel any added pressure," Escriba told Marca. "The group was affected because they would have deserved to have played in the Champions League, considering the good season they had had.
"We had difficult days but it united the group in terms of finding balance. We cannot be driven by defeats and that balance is what is helping us function.
"Besides that [Champions League playoff] setback, everything is going well and I'm happy."
Under Marcelino, Villarreal achieved a fourth-place finish in La Liga in the 2015-16 campaign.
Escriba, a former Elche and Getafe boss, said he is content at the club and has the primary directive to help with the development of the players.
"I haven't been set targets," the 51-year-old said. "What is demanded here is to work and to do well. To push players but nothing more than that.
"I have a one-year contract and I want to do a good job. But I don't consider this job as a launch pad for something bigger for my career or that if I fail, I will not go to bigger clubs.
"I'm in the team I want to be in and I'm delighted. I have been well received by the players and I feel very comfortable."
Villarreal are fifth in La Liga with 13 points from seven games. They lead Europa League Group L with four points after two matches.
Escriba's side next play at Celta Vigo in La Liga on Oct. 16.