Unai Emery

[Beard82]

As people have observed I always worry about these things.  However until it goes away that’s a natural Villa fan default position that some of us find hard to shake.  It’s the unquenching belief that as we seem to on the cusp of something great sky sports and others come along to deliberately sabotage it because it simply won’t do.

I remember many of us relaxing in the summer when the Martinez thing went quiet only to learn on the last day of the window they were back in for him again and if reports are to be believed he spent the whole day waiting for Shakira (Ruben) to call.

When it comes to those absolute thunder cnuts I never dismiss anything until it’s dismissed.

I am here - if its going well for Villa (or in life in general).  Something is going to fuck it up - as thats the way it goes and hard to beat 30 odd years of experience out of your thinking just because nothings gone really wrong for a while.

Thats said - my worry in general is that he leaves for something other than retirement rather than Man Utd!  I really dont see him being tempted by Man Utd.  Hes not going to be happy reporting into Jason Wilcox and Brexit Jim.

[kippaxvilla2]

I think I read a report last week whether true or not that Wes and Nas want him to stay and build a Ferguson type empire.  Which would mean him virtually retiring at the end.  Let’s hope so.  I could put up with that sort of success then 12 years of lambert esque appointments after that (seeing as I’m in my mid 50s).

[Brend'Watkins]

Unai Emery can do what he wants, of course. But it must be at least a little bit unsettling and I do sometimes wonder why someone in his position doesn't make a quick comment about it when speculation becomes ridiculous.

There's nothing to comment about, nobody serious is suggesting it just a few gobshites trying generate views or clicks

Absolutely this. The whole media furore around UE for them is advertisement/revenue driven.

[Mellin]

I only need to see one league title and one Champions League in my lifetime. I'm not greedy. Had written both of these off long ago, but Emery has retunited us with hope, and I genuinely believe we'd have won the latter if we'd had scored one of the four/five chances against PSG in the last 30 mins. We'd have beaten Inter and Emery generally has Arteta's number, especially with that squad and that form in the second half of last season.

The difference between Emery and Martinez is one was in tears waving at the stands at the end of last season, whilst the other has given zero inclination that he will leave, whilst the majority of the evidence stacks up that he wouldn't. Even the media know this and it's being alluded to/spoken about. On the Scholes/Butt podcast Butt said he'd like Emery, but he won't leave. Scholes sat there going "BUT WE'RE UNITED?! Not anymore you ain't, pal.

Time to build that dynasty.

[Billy Walker]

We have the best owners, manager and coaching staff in the business - there is no better fit anywhere - and there's nothing the London media and its dimwitted army of pundits can do about it. Ignore them, let them burn themselves out.  UTV

[Sexual Ealing]

On the Scholes/Butt podcast Butt said he'd like Emery, but he won't leave. Scholes sat there going "BUT WE'RE UNITED?! Not anymore you ain't, pal.

I love it when I see this in the wild. The bewilderment and pain on their faces. They really just can't understand. Those two ought to have some grasp on it, given the club they signed for as kids was on a similar level to the one they're now at. Ah well, it's a damn shame for them.

[john e]

The reason Emery is linked with Man United and a lot of the Pundits and fans want him Is because he’s the best

Our owners have done everything they can to ring fence him in, full control, his own appointments to top positions, real Union, real authority to do what he wants
There must be 30 odd people behind the scenes who are mainly Spanish and all there because of Emery including assistant and directors of Football etc

So it’s not just a case of taking a manager, like I say he’s been ring fenced in
Owners have played a blinder

[johnc]

Unai Emery can do what he wants, of course. But it must be at least a little bit unsettling and I do sometimes wonder why someone in his position doesn't make a quick comment about it when speculation becomes ridiculous.

There's nothing to comment about, nobody serious is suggesting it just a few gobshites trying generate views or clicks

Absolutely this. The whole media furore around UE for them is advertisement/revenue driven.

As a neighbour of mine said "if you stop and throw a stone at every dog that barks at you you will never get to where you are going"

[AlexAlexCropley]

Unai Emery can do what he wants, of course. But it must be at least a little bit unsettling and I do sometimes wonder why someone in his position doesn't make a quick comment about it when speculation becomes ridiculous.

There's nothing to comment about, nobody serious is suggesting it just a few gobshites trying generate views or clicks

Absolutely this. The whole media furore around UE for them is advertisement/revenue driven.

As a neighbour of mine said "if you stop and throw a stone at every dog that barks at you you will never get to where you are going"

Bruce Lee?

[johnc]

He used to call me Grasshopper. I thought it was because my knees rub together when I walk

[German James]

Unai Emery can do what he wants, of course. But it must be at least a little bit unsettling and I do sometimes wonder why someone in his position doesn't make a quick comment about it when speculation becomes ridiculous.

There's nothing to comment about, nobody serious is suggesting it just a few gobshites trying generate views or clicks

Oh, I totally agree! But he's going to be asked about it by every lazy media wanker he faces until the shit-hive that is Manchester United appoints its next victim. I think I'd rather just head all that nonsense off at the pass. That's just me, though.

[Somniloquism]

There is a press conference today anyway so he will make his comments then.

[Smirker]

I'm not worried at all because he won't go.

But if he did go, I might genuinely give up on football.

We've done everything the right and fair way to get competitive again.

If you can't even compete when you get billionaire owners, a world class manager, comply with financial rules which put you at a disadvantage and having to sell tip players every season, then there really is no point.

[Smithy]

I think I read a report last week whether true or not that Wes and Nas want him to stay and build a Ferguson type empire.  Which would mean him virtually retiring at the end.  Let’s hope so.  I could put up with that sort of success then 12 years of lambert esque appointments after that (seeing as I’m in my mid 50s).

That wouldn't surprise me in the slightest, but there will come a point where he will want silverware.  His CV demands it.  And yes, we're unrecognisable as a club from the day he joined, and yes, he's rightly lauded in football circles for the work he's done here, but there will only be an "Unai dynasty" at Aston Villa if he can sprinkle in a few shiny pots along the way. He's not a man who will settle for top 4 and semi-finals indefinitely.  Which is a GOOD thing, obviously.

I don't think that there is any risk of him going anywhere now, but if we continue to be restricted financially, and he feels we'll never be able to compete on a level financial footing with our peers in this league, then maybe, just maybe, he'll be tempted.  But I'd say we're another two years from that point, and even then ONLY if we remain trophyless. 

If we're giving him what he wants, the control and freedom he craves, and the financial muscle to compete, while also winning the odd trophy along the way, I think he could be here till he retires (short of the Spain job calling).

Personally, I'd be really excited to see what he could do when we eventually get to the point where every player is one he recruited.  In the same way Ferguson built multiple teams capable of winning the title, I do wonder what Unai will have built in another 3 or 4 years, when all of the players he inherited (and improved!) have moved on, and been replaced with players he personally chose.   When our squad no longer contains the likes of McGinn, Watkins, Cash, Konsa, Martinez, Mings, Digne and so on. 

It's not often a manager lasts long enough in a job to refresh an ENTIRE squad of players - but I hope Unai is here long enough to get the chance to do it more than once!

[cdward]

In relation to silverware, Crystal Palace, Spurs, Newcastle and West Ham have all won trophies recently.
We lost to (eventual winners Olympiacos, Palace and PSG) in 2 semi finals and a quarter final.
I believe we are not far away from taking the next step and actually winning something.
Unai will want it and will make it happen (hopefully), then the monkey is off our back, and anything is possible.
Just get the first one first.