August 23rd 2024.
According to Jamie Carragher, it's been quite surprising that neither Manchester United nor Chelsea made an attempt to hire Aston Villa's manager, Unai Emery, this summer. The former Liverpool player believes that Emery's success with Villa, as well as his impressive track record with previous clubs, make him the second most accomplished coach in the Premier League after Pep Guardiola.
Last season, Emery led Villa to a remarkable fourth-place finish in the Premier League, securing Champions League football for the first time since 1982. When he took over in October 2022, the team was struggling in 16th place, but Emery was able to turn things around and guide them to a seventh-place finish and qualification for the Europa Conference League. This was followed by a successful campaign that saw Villa qualify for the Champions League, cementing Emery's reputation as a top-class coach.
Despite his previous struggles at Arsenal, Carragher believes that Emery's success at Villa should not be overlooked. He also notes that other top clubs, such as Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea, could have benefited from Emery's skills. Even Manchester United, who were considering replacing Erik ten Hag, could have considered Emery as a potential replacement.
Emery's commitment to Villa was further solidified by his decision to sign a new five-year contract at the end of last season. His job title also changed from head coach to manager, indicating that he now has a more significant role in shaping the club's future. However, Carragher is surprised that no other clubs were vying for Emery's services, considering the added pressure of competing in the Champions League and the squad's lack of depth.
Despite this, Carragher believes that Villa's upcoming match against Arsenal will be a significant test for both teams. He sees it as a battle between two heavyweights in the Premier League, with Arsenal needing to prove that they can compete with Manchester City. The match will take place on Saturday at 5:15 pm and is expected to be an exciting one.
In conclusion, Carragher is surprised that Emery's success with Villa did not attract more attention from other clubs. He believes that Emery's achievements make him one of the most accomplished coaches in the Premier League, second only to Pep Guardiola. As for Villa, they will continue to benefit from Emery's leadership and expertise as they aim to replicate their success from last season.
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