Villarreal manager Unai Emery has been named as Aston Villa’s new head coach.
Emery, who was Arsenal manager from 2018 to 2019, takes over for Steven Gerrard, who was fired last week.
After completing his work permit formalities, the 50-year-old will begin his new role on November 1, which means his first match in charge will be at home against Manchester United on Sunday, November 6.
On Tuesday, the Spaniard will hold a farewell press conference with Villarreal. He joined the club in the summer of 2020 and led them to victory in the Europa League at the expense of Manchester United at the end of his first season.
In his second season, Emery continued to impress, leading Villarreal to the Champions League semi-finals for the second time in club history.
Emery’s previous stint as a Premier League manager ended three years ago when he was fired by Arsenal. When Newcastle approached him about returning to England last year, he declined.
Will Emery be a fantastic manager for Aston Villa?
Shortly before Emery’s appointment, Jamie Carragher said on Monday Night Football:
“I think it would be a fantastic appointment. I’m a huge fan of Unai Emery. He’s had a lot of success with teams just below the elite, almost fighting against the biggest clubs.
“It didn’t go quite so well with him at Arsenal but if you look what he did at Villarreal – Europa League winners and you look at how far they pushed Liverpool in the Champions League. He was brilliant at Valencia, always getting them into the Champions League places.
“I don’t think he’s the type of manager for Barcelona and Real Madrid – and I don’t mean that in a disrespectful way – but for a Valencia and an Aston Villa and for clubs who are trying to compete against teams who have more money, he gets his teams really organised and he’s a super coach.
“Maybe not for the biggest names in the planet but, for Aston Villa right now, I think he’d be a great appointment.”
