Julio Velázquez

Villarreal Velázquez then joined Villarreal CF's setup, first being in charge of the C side. On 24 December 2011, as José Francisco Molina left the reserves for the main squad, he was appointed his successor, thus becoming the youngest person ever to coach a club in the Segunda División, aged 30 years and two months.

On 13 June 2012, following the Yellow Submarine's top-flight relegation – which meant the B's also had to drop down a tier even though they finished in 12th position in division two – Velázquez was named first-team manager. On 13 January of the following year, following a 1–1 away draw against UD Almería, he was relieved of his duties.

Segunda División In the following years, Velázquez continued to work in the second division, being relegated with Real Murcia CF even though the side finished in fourth position and qualified for the play-offs, and being sacked by Real Betis after only five months in charge. During roughly ten months and starting in December 2015, he was in charge of C.F. Os Belenenses in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

Velázquez returned to his country and its second tier on 13 October 2016, signing with AD Alcorcón. He eventually managed to steer them out of the relegation zone and also ousted RCD Espanyol in the fourth round of the Copa del Rey, renewing his contract a two further years after the latter achievement.

Italy and Portugal On 4 June 2018, after narrowly avoiding relegation, Velázquez left Alcorcón. From June–November of the same year he was in charge of Udinese Calcio of the Italian Serie A, being dismissed after only two league wins.

Velázquez returned to the Portuguese top flight in November 2019, being appointed at Vitória F.C. until the end of the season. He left by mutual consent the following 2 July, with the team three points above the relegation zone having not won any of the five games since the resumption of play following the COVID-19 break.

On 11 March 2021, Velázquez became C.S. Marítimo's third manager of the campaign at the last-placed side. His first match in charge was the following day, a 2–1 away win over C.D. Nacional in the Madeira derby.

Velázquez was relieved of his duties on 11 November 2021, with his team second-bottom after 11 rounds.

Alavés Velázquez first reached his country's La Liga in April 2022, when he became Deportivo Alavés' third coach of the season after Javier Calleja and José Luis Mendilibar. One month later, after relegation as last, he left.

Fortuna Sittard On 9 September 2022, Velázquez signed a one-year deal with Fortuna Sittard, bottom in the Dutch Eredivisie. He led them to their first victory of the campaign eight days later, 1–0 against Excelsior Rotterdam in spite of playing 15 minutes with one player less. He was released at the end of his contract, having finished 13th.

Zaragoza On 20 November 2023, Velázquez replaced sacked Fran Escribá at the helm of Real Zaragoza, back in his country's second division. He was dismissed the following 11 March.

Levski Sofia On 5 January 2025, Velázquez became head coach of PFC Levski Sofia in the Bulgarian First League on a contract until June 2026. He guided the club to win the 2025–26 national championship, bringing an end to PFC Ludogorets Razgrad's 14-year dominance.

Managerial statistics

Honours Levski Sofia Bulgarian First League: 2025–26

Individual Bulgarian First League Manager of the Year: 2025–26