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Author Topic: Unai Emery  (Read 1749923 times)

Online brontebilly

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Re: Unai Emery
« Reply #15735 on: May 18, 2026, 11:33:18 PM »
Miguel Delaney downplaying his/our European achievement on the radio this evening, saying our revenue dwarfs that of everyone else in the competition, even Roma.

We have been strong favourites to win it from the outset. Have performed like it too in every round so far.

Offline Mister E

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Re: Unai Emery
« Reply #15736 on: Today at 09:56:48 AM »
Miguel Delaney downplaying his/our European achievement on the radio this evening, saying our revenue dwarfs that of everyone else in the competition, even Roma.
We have been strong favourites to win it from the outset. Have performed like it too in every round so far.
How can anyone downplay Emery's achievement in Europe?! - his record is pretty damn strong as a manager.
I get that the EPL is routinely criticised for its obscene wealth but Emery's heritage in European competitions is aboce reproach.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/unai-emery-europa-league-final-aston-villa-freiburg

Online paul_e

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Re: Unai Emery
« Reply #15737 on: Today at 10:10:04 AM »
Whilst English teams do have a financial advantage that comes attached with other problems. The level of domestic opposition is much higher (outside the top 4-5 clubs) than any other league and most premier league clubs, with the same squad, would be pushing for european qualifying in any other major league whjilst a lot of the weaker sides in those leagues would be favourites for relegation. That means our very top sides (and I include us in this) have far fewer opportunities to rest players ahead of big European games, if you do it you end up getting smashed by teams in the relegation zone (as we can evidence).

That means that outside of the handful of truly ridiculous clubs with revenues that are 3-4 times the rest of the league it's hard to build a squad that can handle a top 4 race and a European competition, we have lots of evidence to show this is true and we're about the only club that has broken in and managed to keep up the performances in the league, look at Newcastle or West Ham for examples of the more normal impact.

That is why us qualifying for the CL whilst also reaching the final is an immense achievement, even with our revenues.

Offline Mister E

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Re: Unai Emery
« Reply #15738 on: Today at 10:13:25 AM »
Whilst English teams do have a financial advantage that comes attached with other problems. The level of domestic opposition is much higher (outside the top 4-5 clubs) than any other league and most premier league clubs, with the same squad, would be pushing for european qualifying in any other major league whjilst a lot of the weaker sides in those leagues would be favourites for relegation. That means our very top sides (and I include us in this) have far fewer opportunities to rest players ahead of big European games, if you do it you end up getting smashed by teams in the relegation zone (as we can evidence).

That means that outside of the handful of truly ridiculous clubs with revenues that are 3-4 times the rest of the league it's hard to build a squad that can handle a top 4 race and a European competition, we have lots of evidence to show this is true and we're about the only club that has broken in and managed to keep up the performances in the league, look at Newcastle or West Ham for examples of the more normal impact.

That is why us qualifying for the CL whilst also reaching the final is an immense achievement, even with our revenues.
Completely agree, paul. Our players will have played - what - 60 games this season? Remember that French teams  in European competitions were getting the previous weekend's league game postponed by their national League so that they could compete more effectively.
The money brings large pressures on the English teams.

Online brontebilly

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Re: Unai Emery
« Reply #15739 on: Today at 10:14:28 AM »
Miguel Delaney downplaying his/our European achievement on the radio this evening, saying our revenue dwarfs that of everyone else in the competition, even Roma.
We have been strong favourites to win it from the outset. Have performed like it too in every round so far.
How can anyone downplay Emery's achievement in Europe?! - his record is pretty damn strong as a manager.
I get that the EPL is routinely criticised for its obscene wealth but Emery's heritage in European competitions is aboce reproach.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/unai-emery-europa-league-final-aston-villa-freiburg

Didn't listen to the clip but per above if the charge was Villa specific it's not too controversial. If, fingers crossed, we win the final the charge will be that we were a CL club playing in EL so were far too strong for the competition. Will take it!

Based on resources, getting us to top 4/5 in PL this season is arguably a bigger achievement when we have the 7/8th highest budget (the OT debacle, shit show of a summer transfer window into the mix too). Emery hasn't been shy about voicing this himself. Media have been very complimentary of Emery's achievements with us and across his career generally from what I've read.

 


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