Unai Emery’s immediate reaction to reports linking him to the Manchester United job has been explained following Michael Carrick’s appointment.
Manchester United have turned to Michael Carrick as their interim head coach following the sacking of Rúben Amorim earlier this month, with his appointment running until the end of the season.
Carrick has assembled a coaching team that includes former defender Jonny Evans, Under-21s manager Travis Binnion, along with Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate.
His primary objective is to push United back into Champions League contention ahead of next season, although the club’s leadership are already considering their options for a permanent successor.
Once the season comes to a close, Carrick and his staff are set to step aside or return to their previous roles at Old Trafford, with a new head coach expected to be named, even if no clear frontrunner has yet emerged.
Emery pleased with United manager links
While Fabrizio Romano has previously reiterated that two of the top names on United’s list will be Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has also been touted as a possible option.
Speaking on The Sports Agents podcast, Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has explained that Emery is pleased with the links to United, alrough warned his compatriot that he would not experience the same harmony and happiness he has at Villa if he were to take over at Old Trafford.
“I think he’s pleased by the fact that he’s linked to the Manchester United job, and he will be linked, in my eyes, with the job he’s done at Aston Villa, which is there for everybody to see,” Balague said. “He’s done a great job. He could go anywhere in the world.”
Balague added: “It is a difficult club to go to, and certainly he won’t find the harmony, the happiness, and the names and people that works around him.
“He’ll have much more money at Manchester United, but the structure is not right for him, I don’t think. But in any case, there’s no argument. He has plans for Aston Villa.”
Emery is best staying put at Villa
Emery is a brilliant manager. His success at clubs such as Sevilla and Villa are bonafide proof that he has the ability to raise the floor of any squad and get them competing amongst the best.
However, his track record at clubs that are looking to dance among the elite is less positive. His time at Paris Saint-Germain saw him lift plenty of domestic honours in France, but they failed to get anywhere in the Champions League.
Emery was also famously on the losing side of a ridiculous tie against Barcelona. After his PSG side won the first leg 4-0, they were pumped 6-1 at Camp Nou and knocked out of the competition in one of the all-time most shocking turnarounds.
Similarly, at Arsenal, Emery came in to take over from Arsene Wenger in 2018 but failed to bring much success to Arsenal and was sacked.
Emery seems to be a manager who does his best work when he’s given time, backing, and room for error, which won’t happen at United. Despite being a brilliant coach, Emery may be best sticking to his guns at Villa.
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