 For 2007–08, Lotina returned to Galicia and joined Deportivo de La Coruña.After a poor start, he more often than not switched to a 5–3–2 formation, going on to finish the year comfortably placed in mid-table and reach the UEFA Intertoto Cup, but being eventually relegated in 2011 as the club also struggled financially – "Depor" only managed to score nine goals away from home all year, being doomed in the last round after failing to score in a 0–2 home loss against Valencia; on 23 May of that year, he announced his departure from the club.On 19 March 2012, Lotina became Villarreal CF's third coach of the season, replacing José Francisco Molina following a 0–1 away loss against Levante UD, with the team dangerously close to the relegation zone (17th), and eventually relegated as 18th, which meant that the club's reserves, which competed in the second level, were also forced to drop down a level in June.