Unai Emery - our manager

[LeeB]

It’s a bit “jobsworthy” if he literally has to wait for the clearance before he can physically take training. It’s not like we’d have been in touch only this morning with Immigration about his arrival

I wouldn't be taking any chances with a fascist as Home Secretary

[sid1964]

If he had of come over on a boat over the weekend he could of started straight away!!

[LeeB]

If he had of come over on a boat over the weekend he could of started straight away!!

He could probably make a few quid on the side teaching you English.

[Brend'Watkins]

If he had of come over on a boat over the weekend he could of started straight away!!

He could probably make a few quid on the side teaching you English.

😂

[sid1964]

I know my English is not the best - i am still trying to learn

[chrisw1]

I'm sure they're having team meetings and doing photoshoots etc, but to lose the morning on the training pitch is a bit of a joke really.

I wonder what the work permit status of all his staff is too?

[Drummond]

I'm sure they're having team meetings and doing photoshoots etc, but to lose the morning on the training pitch is a bit of a joke really.

I wonder what the work permit status of all his staff is too?

It's not a bit of a joke. It's a hold up with paperwork from the Home Office. And given the players don't train all day anyway, having an afternoon/evening session instead of a morning one isn't exactly horrendous. Maybe it won't be confirmed today and they'll need to do two tomorrow.

[chrisw1]

It's the hold up with the home office that I'm talking about.  Can you imagine that happening when Man Utd appoint a new shiny European manager?

[Drummond]

It's the hold up with the home office that I'm talking about.  Can you imagine that happening when Man Utd appoint a new shiny European manager?

Yep.

[chrisw1]

It's the hold up with the home office that I'm talking about.  Can you imagine that happening when Man Utd appoint a new shiny European manager?

Yep.

Well I'm a lot more cynical than you Drummond.

[Drummond]

It's the hold up with the home office that I'm talking about.  Can you imagine that happening when Man Utd appoint a new shiny European manager?

Yep.

Well I'm a lot more cynical than you Drummond.

I doubt it. I just think the Home Office have got much worse since the last overseas appointment. There was plenty of time for Ten Hag, the international break for Di Zerbi and it was February that Marsch was appointed. He started on the Saturday after being appointed on the Monday, which doesn't seem right, but then it is Leeds and they probably don't give a shit. (or maybe as he's American it's different).

[chrisw1]

I haven't done any research, I just can't imagine the powers that be not sorting things out if it was a 'glamour' club.

[Sexual Ealing]

I haven't done any research, I just can't imagine the powers that be not sorting things out if it was a 'glamour' club.

Have you seen who the powers that be are?

[chrisw1]

I haven't done any research, I just can't imagine the powers that be not sorting things out if it was a 'glamour' club.

Have you seen who the powers that be are?

I'm imagining it's sat on a Newcastle fans desk and he's sending texts to his mates laughing about putting it to the bottom of the pile because someone painted a bedsheet 13 years ago.

[Risso]

John Percy has just put this article up on the telegraph - 4 ½ year contract for Emery:

"Unai Emery has signed the longest managerial contract in Aston Villa’s history, as he prepares to officially start work this week.

Emery was appointed last Monday evening and is understood to have agreed a lucrative deal at least four-and-a-half years in length, underlining the commitment of owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens to their new head coach.

Villa paid £5.2 million in compensation to lure the former Arsenal manager from Villarreal, offering terms which will be worth above £25 million net over the course of the contract.

NSWE are targeting European football as part of their ambitious plans and believe Emery, who has lifted the Europa League four times, can help lead them to a bright future.

The details of the contract have not been officially revealed by Villa but it is believed to be longer than Emery’s predecessors Steven Gerrard and Dean Smith, also beating the previous record set by Rémi Garde, who signed a four-year deal when he joined Villa in November 2015.

Emery has been forced to wait before taking his first training session at Villa’s Bodymoor Heath complex as he waits for his work visa. It is understood there are no concerns and Emery, who flew into the UK on Monday, will take training on Wednesday.

He is bringing in up to eight new backroom staff members, following a clear-out of coaches after Gerrard’s dismissal.

Aaron Danks, the coach who took interim charge for the Brentford and Newcastle matches, is considering a new role at the club while Neil Cutler, the goalkeeping coach, has already left.

Emiliano Martínez, the Villa goalkeeper, posted a message on Instagram to pay tribute to Cutler for his work. "I can't thank you enough for the way you helped me since day one. Not just a GK coach to me, you became my friend. Unfortunately football isn't fair sometimes but I'm sure you will find a [the] right club for you. Best English coach by miles.”

Austin MacPhee, the set-piece coach recruited during Smith’s time, will be staying with the first-team.

Villa are just a point outside the relegation zone and were thrashed 4-0 by Newcastle on Saturday.

Emery will take on Manchester United at home this weekend in his first game as head coach and is set to hold his first news conference later this week."