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After winning a fifth Europa League title, it’s time to call Unai Emery what he is: an elite manager.
Emery was not about the noise. Or builds up his ego. His genius lives in detail.
And now, after winning a fifth Europa League title, it’s time to put him back where he belongs: among modern football’s managerial elite.
Probably over most of them too.
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Aston Villa fans erupted at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham as their side won the Europa League final 3-0.
Because when Pep Guardiola leaves Manchester City, there is a compelling argument that the Premier League’s best coach will be standing in the dugout at Villa Park.
Few directors in history have done it more times than Emery. Only Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho and Giovanni Trapattoni have won five European competitions each. He is in famous company.
There was always the temptation to frame his career through the prism of his failures at Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal.
Aston Villa players celebrate their Europa League win
Yet as you delve deeper into Emery’s body of work, he is tailor-made for projects. their master. For clubs desperate to disrupt the established order.
That’s why Sevilla became the king of the Europa League under him. Ken Villarreal wins it all. Why Aston Villa – drifting and sleepwalking towards the Championship – now look like a genuine European powerhouse.
Villa won 3-0 against Freiburg Carrying the aura of a Champions League heavyweight.
The specific quality of elite coaching is not just the improvement of players. Plenty can do that. The real greats change the ceiling of an entire football club. Emery has now done it repeatedly across Europe.
And with Freiburg brushed aside in such emphatic fashion, perhaps the football world has finally come to terms with what many who have followed Emery over the years know.
Emery is not just an expert. He is one of the best directors of his generation.
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Miguel Delaney of The Independent and Martin Hardy of The Times react to Unai Emery as Aston Villa win the Europa League title.
Emery: We won’t stop
“When I started (at Villa) my dream was to play in Europe and play for trophies – that’s the first. We played in two semi-finals and were close,” Emery said.
“These experiences are very important to get better. The club lost the European Cup, a trophy.
“So to achieve this makes us very happy, but we will not stop.”
Emery was also pleased with Villa’s ‘serious’ approach to the competition. Speaking to TNT Sports, he said:
“Europe has given us a lot, and a lot for myself. And I’m always very grateful for Europe. For every competition: the Conference League, the Champions League, the Europa League… but especially the Europa League.
“We played very seriously this year. So, so focused. And the players showed their desire. I was telling them, ‘We need desire in this competition and show on the pitch that you are the hero’. And they did.
Some have even won titles. Some are first titles.
Aston Villa celebrate Morgan Rodgers goal
“This final is confirmation of how we are going.
“It’s very important for them (the players) and of course for the fans because the fans have been traveling with us all season, traveling far, making a huge effort to be with us, sending their energy to us.
“If we improve, if we play Europe, we play finals, we win trophies, if we are in the Champions League, I think the brand is growing.”
McGinn: Proudest moment of my career
“Anything is possible with this manager,” Villa captain John McGinn said.
“Everything we built tonight, came together, and the pride I felt at 3-0 in 10 minutes, thinking we’re European champions is something I can’t even describe.
“This is the proudest moment and night of my career so far.”
