Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher suggested that Unai Emery could push for a move to Manchester United, but Aston Villa have seemingly shut down that possibility
Aston Villa's manager Unai Emery smiles during the football match between Aston Villa and Bayern Munich
Unai Emery looks set to stay at Aston Villa(Image: (Photo by May JAMES / AFP via Getty Images))
Manchester United's hopes of landing Unai Emery look set to be dashed as the Aston Villa boss is seemingly closing in on a new contract extension with the club.
The 55-year-old has spent four years at Villa Park, joining the team in 2022 in an effort to initially save them from the threat of relegation. In the time since, there has been a remarkable transformation, with qualification for the Champions League, alongside a Europa League trophy that fans will remember for a long time.
Aston Villa has built the infrastructure around the head coach as the central figure, which is a different method from the more modern choice of hiring a sporting director to oversee operations. It has worked, however, with the club reaching new heights under his guidance, with hopes of cementing its place at the top of the Premier League and European soccer as a whole.
That's why the threat of losing Emery comes as quite the concern. Man United's ongoing difficulties have led to links emerging over a potential move for the Basque coach, who could bring improved fortunes to Old Trafford moving forward.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher certainly suggested that a move could be desirable for the manager, when he said on Stick To Football: "I think Unai Emery is just unbelievable what he does year after year. Surely he would want that opportunity to manage a giant again.”
“Aston Villa will never be Manchester United. There is a chain in football, whether you like it or not. Real Madrid will take United’s best player, they’ll take Ronaldo. There’s very few above United, same with Liverpool.”
Those comments, which ended in expletives aimed at the Aston Villa fanbase, drew criticism from the club, which threatened legal action against the pundit. Carragher apologized shortly after, with the Midlands outfit going on to withdraw the threat of potential litigation.
It has since moved to shut down the suggestion that Emery could leave for Man United, with The Telegraph reporting that the manager is in "advanced talks" over a new deal with Aston Villa.
Unai Emery
Unai Emery has been linked with a move to Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
The club seemed to confirm such commitment in a club statement on social media, revealing there had been discussions about the ambitions of the team moving forward.
That statement reads: "Aston Villa held an important working meeting today to plan the club's future and lay the foundations for its long-term sporting and institutional project. The meeting brought together Nassef Sawiris, the club's Chairman and Unai Emery alongside President of Football Operations Roberto Olabe and Director of Football Operations Damian Vidagany.
"The discussions focused on jointly planning the club's long-term strategic direction, with positive discussions establishing a clear commitment beyond 2029 for the joint development of the club under the sporting leadership of Unai Emery based on the shared ambitions and common goal to reach excellency and keep growing during the next years. The objective is clear: to build an ambitious, competitive Aston Villa capable of taking on the biggest challenges and achievements."
It may be the best possible way to shut down the links with Man United, with both Emery and his club seemingly committed for the long-term future.
It remains to be seen whether the Villans can continue their planned ascent to the top, but with the Basque manager in position for the foreseeable, there is little to suggest they plan on slowing down any time soon.