Unai Emery could still quit Aston Villa next year to join Barcelona as ‘danger’ detailed
Don Goodman says there is still a “danger” that Unai Emery could be tempted to leave Aston Villa for Barcelona in the future, despite agreeing a new contract at Villa Park.
Emery this week agreed fresh terms that will run through until the summer of 2027 in a massive boost for the Villans.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are no longer on the lookout for a new head coach ahead of next season as Xavi has agreed to stay on at Camp Nou.
While Emery’s short-term future is no longer a concern, Goodman believes the lure of Barcelona could be a worry further down the line.
Goodman told Villa News: “I look at Barcelona and they’re in a bit of a mess. They’re not the same force, albeit they still have a name as a powerhouse club, but they’re not the Barcelona of old and LaLiga is not the LaLiga of old.
“But he’s Spanish and it will always therefore be a danger if a massive club from your homeland comes in down the line – you’re always going to be tempted by Barcelona.
“The Premier League is the best team in the world and players and managers alike want to be in the Premier League. But the lure of Barcelona – or indeed someone like Bayern Munich – is there.
“I don’t think Emery will ever think ‘my work here is done’ because he’ll know the potential of Aston Villa. There is, however, a danger that these powerhouses know how to attract a manager.
“We’re all human beings at the end of the day and Barcelona are one of the most prestigious clubs in the world. There’s always that danger but you’d hope Emery will stay at Aston Villa for the long term and really build to see if he can take them to the next level next season.”
Unai Emery signs new Aston Villa contract
Talk of Emery potentially being a target for Barcelona filled Villa fans with dread given the magnitude of what he has achieved as Aston Villa boss.
No one individual is bigger than a club, of course, but there is no doubt that Emery is the key figure behind the success of the past 18 months.
The club were eager to nip those rumours in the bud, though, and the Spaniard has thankfully agreed to stay on for another couple of years.
There is now no chance of Emery jumping ship this summer, but these same rumours will no doubt arise at some point next season.
As Goodman says, what Villa are on course to achieve this season is not the glass ceiling. With Emery at the helm, anything is possible.
In other Aston Villa news, a Sky Sports pundit was left amazed by what Ollie Watkins did in the win over Bournemouth.
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