Aston Villa: Unai Emery handed prestigious coaching award in Dubai
Unai Emery has been honoured with the Coach Career Award at the Global Soccer Awards in Dubai – and outlined plans for future success at Aston Villa.
The 51-year-old was recognised for a coaching career which has seen him win four Europa League titles and manage clubs such as Paris St Germain, Valencia, Sevilla, and Arsenal before taking the Villa job in November.
Since his arrival, the Spaniard has overseen a successful transformation in the West Midlands, winning back-to-back Premier League games against Manchester United and Brighton.
He wrote on Twitter: “Amazing days in Dubai. Thanks so much for the Coach Career Award to my friends of Globe Soccer.
“I would like to come back soon to this great event, full of legends and top professionals, so we will work even harder to have success also with Aston Villa.”
World-class
Aston Villa have got themselves one hell of a manager in Emery.
The Spaniard has arguably proven himself to be a success wherever he has managed – apart from Arsenal – winning four Europa League titles and also the Ligue 1 title with PSG during his career.
The fact that the manager was lured to the West Midlands speaks testament to the ambition of Aston Villa’s owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.
With Emery at the helm, Villa possesses a trump card that few other Premier League clubs can match. A proven winner in multiple leagues and a manager who wins trophies for fun.
Already since his arrival, The Villans have looked a completely different side to the one who were ambling along at a pedestrian speed under Steven Gerrard.
Consecutive wins against Brighton and United have propelled Villa onto the cusp of the top ten of the Premier League table, and Europe still isn’t out of the equation if they can hit the ground running after the World Cup break.