The behind-the-scenes reason Unai Emery has been nominated for Ballon d'Or Coach of the Year
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been nominated for the Coach of the Year award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
The Spaniard is simply adored at Villa Park.
There are no superlatives left to describe the work he has done since coming through the doors in November 2022.
The B6 outfit have played European football in all of his four full seasons in charge.
That all culminated in the Villans lifting the Europa League last season, his fifth time securing that title.
Emery has now been put forward as a nominee for Coach of the Year as we delve into exactly why he deserves it more than most.
Why Unai Emery deserves Ballon d'Or Coach of the Year nomination
Anyone associated with the claret and blue club have been singing the praises of the 54-year-old for years.
That has often fallen on deaf ears as many don't realise just how sensational he is as a coach.
Emery has improved almost every player that he's worked with at Villa Park and has carried them to a level where Champions League football is becoming a regular occurance.
Villa supporters have now see the boss finally get some recognition on a global stage with a nomination ahead of the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
That has certainly gone down well in B6, while long-term supporter Guillem Balague has explained exactly why he's been put forward for the Coach of the Year award.
The Spanish writer is the author of "Rise of the Villans", a book that outlines the transformation under Emery since his introduction as head coach.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Balague said: "It is great to see him recognised.
"It is not just the amount of work he puts in, it is the mind that is behind all that, his adaptability, his knowledge, his control of emotions, so much that puts him clearly in that list."
What are Emery's chances of winning Coach of the Year?
Villa fans certainly see Emery as arguably the best managers in the Premier League and one of the best in the world.
He has certainly been noted as the latter, even if a Premier League Manager of the Season nomination passed him by last season...
The Spaniard is up against stern competition with Mikel Arteta, Luis de la Fuente, Vincent Kompany and Luis Enrique in the running.
Trophies are the common theme in this list with Enrique sitting pretty at Paris Saint-Germain with a Champions League and Ligue 1 double.
Bayern Munich boss Kompany also secured two honours with Bundesliga and DFB Pokal medals now in his cabinet.
De la Fuente oversaw a World Cup victory with Spain, while Arteta lifted the Premier League at Arsenal.
Emery obviously has another Europa League under his belt as he also guided Villa to a surprise top four finish.
It will be a long shot for him to secure the Coach of the Year award, but just to be nominated is the recognition that Villa fans have been demanding for years.
The Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place on 26 October in London.