Fernandez says the Yellow Submarines’ victory in the Europa League is a reward of the club’s project.
As underdogs, Unai Emery’s men were expected to be beaten by the English side in Gdansk but the Spaniards defied every odd.
Gerard Moreno had given Villarreal the lead on 29 minutes from Daniel Parejo’s free-kick but Edinson Cavani brought the Red Devils level ten minutes after the interval.
Both teams could not break the defense of each other as the game ended 1-1 in normal time and extra time. Penalty shootout was needed to decide who becomes the champions of the Europa League.
Both teams had successfully put away ten penalties each and it was down to the goalkeepers to decide their teams’ fate.
Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli was the hero as he scored his but denied David De Gea to win the trophy for the Spanish side.
"We suffered a lot in the penalty shootout, I don't think that has ever happened before, it was probably the first time, scoring all eleven [penalty] goals," the former Villarreal man said on Despierta San Francisco.
"It is an example of an exemplary project, especially in giving balance to the club for many years.
"Everything surrounding the club has been improving day by day. It is a team that has grown in a short time, 10 to 15 years, in an incredible way.
"What they have achieved gives you a step up to the Champions League, winning a final and they will also play a Super Cup."
