Unai Emery has officially been named Aston Villa’s new head coach.
Villa axed Steven Gerrard last Thursday after a disappointing run of results.
After being shunned by Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel, they initially targeted Sporting CP’s highly-rated boss Ruben Amorim.
Late last week, Villa began negotiations with intermediaries and Amorim’s agents.
Their initial discussions showed that Villa was amenable to a deal.
Villa resorted to Villarreal manager Emery after discussions were less fruitful. An agreement has since been confirmed via a statement on the club’s official website.
Official statement
“Emery, whose contract at Villarreal would have expired next summer, will start working the following week once his work permit formalities are finished,” according to Villa.
Unai Emery has been named the next head coach of Aston Villa, the club said in a statement.
“Unai is a very skilled top-level coach with over 900 games. During a previous stint with Arsenal, he also coached in the Premier League. He took the Gunners to the Europa League final.”
“Additionally, he has had a great deal of success with Sevilla and Paris St. Germain. He won the Europa League three times in a row in Seville between 2013 and 2016, and then he won the Ligue 1 championship, two French Cups, two French League Cups, and two Trophees des Champions in France.”
Villarreal received a £5.2 million buyout fee from Villa from the 50-year-old.
Aston Villa is delighted to announce the appointment of Unai Emery as the club's new Head Coach. ?
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) October 24, 2022
Emery’s arrival is a sign of Villa’s aspirations
The hiring of Unai Emery by Aston Villa is evidence of the team’s aspirations and commitment to making a name for itself in Europe.
Emery is an unmatched expert in the European market. He won the Europa League three times in a row at Sevilla before winning it once more with Villarreal.
Before Eddie Howe was hired as Newcastle’s manager, he was the Saudi Arabian owners’ top choice because of his outstanding reputation.
Emery will return to England as a manager with a point to make after being fired by Arsenal in 2019. His first task will be to advance Villa to the Premier League.
He succeeded Arsene Wenger, and despite criticism of his tenure at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal placed fifth during his first full season in charge as manager.
He again showed his prowess in European play by guiding the Gunners to the Europa League final, where they fell to Chelsea.
The club’s owners at Villa want to compete in Europe and start over after firing Steven Gerrard.
They have hired one of Europe’s most seasoned, admired, and distinguished coaches in Emery. After his tenure at Arsenal, he will be fired by a fierce determination to set the record straight after his time at Arsenal.
