Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery could be set for a shocking return to the Premier League this season, just three years since he left the Gunners in 2019. The Spaniard is currently in charge of La Liga club Villarreal, having joined them back in 2020 shortly after his dismissal from the Emirates Stadium.
With the Spanish side, Emery managed to win an unlikely Europa League, overcoming both Arsenal and Manchester United on the road to such a triumph. There have been questions over his ability in the league, but his success continued in cup competitions, managing a Champions League semi-final run last season which included knocking out the likes of Juventus and Bayern Munich.
The 50-year-old was also linked with a move to Newcastle in November 2021, with the Magpies recently taken over by their new ownership, looking to appoint a new manager, He eventually opted to stay with Villarreal, telling the Athletic: "The Premier League is an attractive league for all us coaches. So when Newcastle called me, I thought a lot about the opportunity to return to England, to a serious project. For me, it was a source of pride, and satisfaction and I appreciated it.
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“The opportunity of a club like Newcastle, what it could turn out to be, it is normal for me to listen to the offer, to consider it. I thought about the offer and I spoke with [Villarreal president] Fernando Roig but I also had to take into account that we were in the Champions League with Villarreal, mid-season. In the end, with a lot of respect for Villarreal, and a lot of respect for Newcastle, I decided to stay here. I am happy here and we are doing an important job.”
While Arsenal dodged the potential to face Emery once again when he turned down a move to the northeast, that may not be the case this time around. That's because Premier League side Aston Villa are the latest side to be linked with a move for the manager in the wake of dismissing Steven Gerrard after a poor start to the season.
Emery has also become clear favourites with the bookmakers, shortening to near evens favourite over the likes of Ruben Amorim, Sean Dyche and Mauricio Pochettino. It remains to be seen if he makes a switch, but it could cause quite a stir should he do so.
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