Jamie Carragher explains why Unai Emery’s Aston Villa record hurts his Man United job chances
Jamie Carragher believes Unai Emery would be the “perfect” coach to revive Manchester United but the “underrated” Spaniard is unlikely to go there.
When Emery took over from his predecessor, Steven Gerrard, in October 2022, Villa were languishing in 17th in the Premier League.
But with largely the same group of players, the Spaniard was able to turn the Villa Park club’s fortunes around in drastic fashion.
Villa ended up finishing seventh that season and since then, Emery has got the West Midlands outfit competing for Champions League football and challenging for trophies.
The work that he has done at Villa, in addition to Sevilla and Villarreal, has prompted Liverpool legend Carragher to suggest Emery would be a great fit at United. However, the ex-defender thinks the former Valencia manager won’t be in the running when he should be.
Unai Emery ‘not among’ top Man Utd candidates
As a manager, Emery has won the Europa League three times with Sevilla, once with Villarreal, and he lifted seven trophies during his time at Paris Saint-Germain.
But the fact that he struggled at Arsenal and didn’t set the world alight at PSG has, according to Carragher, garnered him an unwanted reputation that he has found his level just below the established superpowers.
Michael Carrick is in interim charge at United until the end of the season and if he continues to impress in the role, he could get the job permanently. Despite that, Carragher feels that Emery would be a better candidate, with the ex-England international regarding the Spaniard as the second-best coach in the Premier League.
However, he thinks United’s “dream choice” would be current PSG boss Luis Enrique, or Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti, or Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann.
He wrote in his Telegraph column: “Unai Emery should be heading to Old Trafford this weekend as the front-runner to become the next Manchester United manager.
“I suspect he does not rank high among the candidates. That is good news for Aston Villa, but it must be frustrating for one of the best, and still most underrated, coaches in Europe.
“For Emery not to be under serious consideration says plenty about modern football. By any metric, he would be the perfect coach to revive United. For me, only Pep Guardiola ranks higher of those currently managing in England.
“Sadly for Emery, and happily for Villa, the Spaniard is painted as an overachiever at clubs trying to challenge the elite, and an underachiever at those who consider themselves already part of it.”
Aston Villa must keep hold of Emery at all costs
Emery has done a superb job at Villa so far. While there are signs that this season could fall apart, the fact that they are vying for Champions League qualification is remarkable.
Indeed, at the start of the campaign, they endured a five-match winless run, with Villa toiling in the relegation zone.
But an astonishing revival, typified by an 11-game winning streak, turned Emery’s side into Premier League title challengers.
Emery has been in charge of 182 games at Villa, winning 100 of them. He has transformed them into an established top-six side and on a budget smaller than many of their rivals.
His contract runs until 2029, with Emery being afforded a huge amount of control at the club, including with new signings.
If Emery were to go, it does feel like Villa’s fortunes could nosedive quickly. He is the glue that keeps this club together and without him, their future is far less rosy.
For even more Aston Villa news and opinions, head over to Football Insider.