New Unai deal’s win-win for all
UNAI EMERY and Astonvilla are the perfect fit – as illustrated by the Spaniard’s new, bumper long-term deal in the Midlands. That is the verdict of formervilla Park favourite Tony Daley, after witnessing a mad managerial scramble involving some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
In the past week
Chelsea, Bayern
Munich and Barcelona have all made surprise changes, while
Manchester United have yet to decide whether to stick or twist with Erik ten Hag.
One person, though, not in the frame for any of the top posts is Emery, thanks to the £40million, five-year contract extension he has just signed as reward for a brilliant 2023-24 campaign.
All of which highlights what a blinder thevilla board have played, according to Daley (above), in keeping one of football’s elite coaches from the clutches of rivals.
The ex-england winger said: “That’s the point when you look at the clubs who’ve had jobs available. There’s been Chelsea, Bayern, Liverpool all looking for managers – and possibly United – yet Unai Emery has committed himself to Villa.
“It’s brilliant he’s shown his full commitment to us.
“It appears he’s found a club he loves and a club who loves him.
“He knows what the fans are like and he has a board who have total faith in him and back him to the hilt.
“They’ve now shown that with this five-year deal. He deserves it because he’s a top, top coach.
“It’s a win-win for everybody. For Emery, the owners, the fans and the players he’s helped transform. It’s amazing what he’s achieved.”
If Emery is going nowhere,
Daley is optimistic it will be the same regarding
Ollie Watkins.
The striker is attracting interest from Liverpool and
Arsenal – but Daley added: “The fact he’s being linked with these clubs is a compliment to how exceptional he’s been.
“He has the Champions League next season, a manager who really believes in him and he’s off to the Euros in the summer. I can’t see why he’d need to leave Villa
now.”