After winning his fifth Europa League title, it is time to call Unai Emery an elite manager.
Emery has never been interested in noise. Or maybe it’s just building self-esteem. His genius lives in the details.
And now, after winning his fifth Europa League title, it is time to establish him as one of modern football’s elite executives.
Maybe even higher than most of them.
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Aston Villa fans at Utilita Arena Birmingham erupted as their side won 3-0 in the Europa League final.
Because there is a compelling argument that when Pep Guardiola leaves Manchester City, the best coach in the Premier League will be standing in the dugout at Villa Park.
Few managers in history have done that more often than Emery. Only Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho and Giovanni Trapattoni have won five European caps each. He is in illustrious company.
There has always been a temptation to frame his career through the prism of his failures at Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal.
Aston Villa players celebrate winning the Europa League.
But the more I studied Emery’s work, the more I realized he was a natural fit for the project. their owners. For a club desperately trying to topple the established order.
This is why Sevilla became the kings of the Europa League under his leadership. Why Villarreal conquered everything. Why Aston Villa, after drifting and sleepwalking towards the Championship, now look like a genuine European powerhouse.
Villa’s 3-0 win over Freiburg brought about the aura of a Champions League heavyweight.
What defines the quality of elite coaching is not simply improving players. Many people can do that. A truly great player changes the ceiling of an entire football club. Emery has now done that repeatedly across Europe.
And after such an emphatic defeat by Freiburg, perhaps the world of football should finally accept what many who have followed Emery have known for years.
Emery is not just a professional. He is one of the best managers of his generation.
Emery: We won’t stop
“When I started (at Villa) my dream was to play in Europe and go for trophies. This is the first time. We’ve played in two semi-finals and it’s been close,” Emery said.
“This experience is very important to get better. The club is missing out on the trophy, the European Cup.
“So achieving this makes us so happy. But we won’t stop.”
Emery was also pleased with Villa’s ‘serious’ approach to the competition. He said in an interview with TNT Sports:
“Europe has given us a lot and given me a lot, and I am always very grateful to Europe. All competitions: the Conference League, the Champions League, the Europa League… especially the Europa League.”
“This year we played very seriously, so we were focused and the players showed their desire. I told them, ‘This competition requires passion and you need to show that you are the main character on the pitch.’ And they did it.”
“Some people have won titles. Some people have won their first title.
Aston Villa celebrate Morgan Rodgers’ goal
“This final is a chance to see how we are progressing.
“It’s very important for them (the players) and the supporters because they travel with us throughout the season, travel far and wide, make huge efforts to be with us and transfer their energy to us.
“If we are improving, if we play in Europe, if we play finals and win trophies, if we get to the Champions League, I think the brand is growing.”
McGinn: Proudest moment of my career.
Villa captain John McGinn said: “Anything is possible with this manager.”
“Tonight was everything we achieved together and when we were down 3-0 with 10 minutes left, I couldn’t even put into words the pride I felt knowing we were European champions.
“This is the proudest moment and night of my career so far.”
