Real Madrid have Aston Villa manager Unai Emery on their target list.
Spanish journalist Ramón Álvarez de Mon reports contact has been made. He took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share a short update.
According to him, the Aston Villa boss would be the frontrunner for the Real Madrid job after this season. This is only if the La Liga side decide to bring in a new manager again.
Real Madrid appointed Xabi Alonso as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor in June. Earlier this month, Los Blancos showed the Spaniard the exit door after winning 20 of 28 matches this season.
Real Madrid promoted Álvaro Arbeloa to be first team manager and the team have won three and lost two under his orders. This includes a 4-2 defeat to Benfica in the Champions League group stage yesterday. The loss means Real Madrid finish ninth in the table, losing a direct place in the last 16.
The Aston Villa boss is the best placed candidate to join Real Madrid after this season. Álvarez de Mon claims the Spanish giants contacted him in recent days to find out the possibility of a Villa Park exit.
Unai Emery has Aston Villa contract until 2029
Deventer, Netherlands - 23 October 2025 - Unai Emery during the UEFA Europa League 2025-26 League Phase MD3 match between Go Ahead Eagles and Aston Villa FC
Deventer, Netherlands – 23 October 2025 – Unai Emery during the UEFA Europa League 2025-26 League Phase MD3 match between Go Ahead Eagles and Aston Villa FC
Aston Villa took Emery from Villarreal in October 2022 by activating his €6m release clause. The manager has a contract until 2029 at Villa Park, and there’s been conflicting claims about whether he has an escape clause and what level that would be at.
On Christmas Eve, Aston Villa director Damià Vidagany said Emery isn’t valued enough in Spain because he hasn’t managed Real Madrid or Barcelona. That could change in the near future, and Vidagany may be regretting his declaration.
Álvarez de Mon makes no mention of whether Emery is willing to leave Aston Villa for Real Madrid. However, the assumption in Spain, especially around Madrid, is that every manager wants Los Blancos.