Unai Emery: Welcome to Villarreal

On 23rd July 2020, Villarreal CF officially appointed Unai Emery as the men’s first-team head coach. Emery has an impressive coaching record and has great ambitions for the future of the team. “I identify with the club’s philosophy, the culture of effort and sacrifice, that’s something that attracts me,” he commented in his first press conference with the club on 27th July 27th 2020.

Born in Hondarribia, Spain, Emery spent his youth years playing with Real Sociedad from 1986–1990. He later spent his 14-year senior playing career with 5 clubs including Real Sociedad, Toledo, Racing Club de Ferrol, Leganés, and Lorca Deportiva CF. Emery retired from playing in 2004.

Emery first began his coaching career with Lorca Deportiva, leading them to promotion to the Segunda División. After this initial experience as manager, he moved to UD Almería. In 2007 he also led UD Almería to promotion; with the club reaching LaLiga for the first time in history. From 2008 to 2012 he was head coach for Valencia CF. In his first season with Valencia, the team qualified for the UEFA Europa League, and in the subsequent three seasons, Valencia finished third in LaLiga and made it to the Champions League.

He then coached Spartak Moscow for less than a year prior to being appointed manager of Sevilla in 2013. While coaching Sevilla, his accomplishments included three consecutive Europa League victories. This outstanding run with Sevilla set him up to coach Paris Saint-Germain in 2016. While coaching for PSG, he led his team to a Ligue 1 title in 2017/18 and two Coupe de France victories in the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons.

In May 2018 Emery was appointed head coach of Arsenal where he quickly led the team to the 2019 UEFA Europa League Final. Emery concluded his time with Arsenal in November 2019 and recently arrived at Villarreal in July 2020.

Unai Emery has also received various individual awards during his coaching career. In 2006 and 2007, he was awarded the Miguel Muñoz Trophy for being the manager in the Segunda División with the highest total points on the MARCA’s scoring system for the season. He has also been named LaLiga Manager of the Month on two occasions: March 2014 and January 2015. For the 2013–14 season, Emery was named European Football Coach of the Season by the European Union of Sports Press. Additionally, Unai Emery was recognised as the National Union of Professional Football Players (UNFP) Manager of the Year for the 2017–18 season.

In Emery’s first press conference as Villarreal manager he outlined some of his hopes for the future of the team: “I don’t think about the end game, but I do dream…I dream of a title with Villarreal.” Emery recognises the club’s resilience in overcoming obstacles over the past few years. He is on board to build upon the foundation that has been laid over the past 20 seasons of competition in La Liga. He says, “We have a good block and we need to work hard to improve.”

President Roig commented that “Unai is a young head coach, while being a veteran at the same time…we’re very excited and we have high hopes for the next year.” When unveiling Unai Emery as Head Coach, Emery explained how pleased he was to return to Spain after four years and especially to be welcomed by Villarreal. “I feel at home,” he says. Emery aspires to see the team grow and develop, and he is looking forward to new challenges that lie ahead.

Unai Emery has shown great success over his 16-year coaching career and hopefully that this success will continue as he begins his time at Villarreal CF.