Unai Emery releases statement after becoming Aston Villa head coach

Unai Emery has been confirmed as Aston Villa’s new head coach following Steven Gerrard’s sacking.

The Spaniard joins from Villarreal, who he led to Europa League success by beating Manchester United in the final in 2021 as well as the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.

Emery also previously managed in the Premier League during a spell with Arsenal, leading the Gunners to a Europa League final before he was dismissed from the North London club.

He has also enjoyed successful spells with Sevilla and at Paris Saint Germain. In Seville, he won three successive Europa League titles between 2013 and 2016 before going on to lift a Ligue 1 championship in France as well as two French Cups, two French League Cups and two Trophée des Champions.

Emery posted a statement on his Instagram page to thank Villarreal and the club’s fans for their support during his time at the club.

He wrote (via google translate): “Villarreal has been my home for the last two years. It was my home, not my club because I felt integrated, identified, and passionate about Villarreal. I have lived in first person the excellence of the project by the Roig family and our beloved Jose Manuel Llaneza.

“From the outside it was an admiable project and from the inside I have been able to confirm it to feel part of it. We have achieved success together, we have lived great moments and regardless of results I have felt more loved and supported than ever.

Emery also thanked the club’s owners and board and added: “With the people, warm fans and faithful that has never failed us, and now in doing a hundred kilometers to support us in Valencia, he has given a lesson in loyalty and fidelity. If I had written a letter of wishes when I signed I would have come up short. Everything has been perfect, I have enjoyed this path to the fullest. However, part of every path has its end.

“For the last few days i’ve been thinking carefully and feeling what my decision should be. Farewell is hard and difficult, but my feeling and reflection is I have to start a new project. I will never forget that night in Gdanks where we touched the sky. Nor those of Turin, Munich or Bergamo. Or the one from last Sunday, that was the best triute to Jose Manuel. But believe me the best it has been to come every morning to work happy, knowing that you were in a place where you fully fit in and felt respected.

“On July 27, 2020, in my presentation, I said that my dream was to win a title with Villarreal. Today after having fulfilled I can tell you the fans, the club, and my players that I would never have dreamed that I was going to be so happy as I have been with you.”

You can see the statement in full on his Instagram page, here.

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