- Guillem Balague has reassured Aston Villa supporters that Unai Emery will remain at the club this summer
- Real Madrid and Manchester United have linked the Basque manager with moves away from Villa Park
- The control he has at Villa is one of the main reasons why he won’t leave
Journalist and best-selling author Guillem Balague has issued a reassuring update on Unai Emery’s future at Aston Villa amid rumours of an exit this summer. The 54-year-old is supposedly not going anywhere, and so will remain at Villa Park for the foreseeable.
In recent weeks, rumours have linked Emery with a move away from the Midlands, with Real Madrid and Manchester United the two clubs that have shown interest.
The Spanish giants are looking to replace current manager Álvaro Arbeloa this summer, considering Emery as one of many candidates. However, reports state that Jose Mourinho will return to the Bernabeu, 13 years after his first spell. He is reportedly in “final negotiations” and is likely to finalise a deal in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, at United, Ben Jacobs revealed that the Red Devils made a “formative enquiry” over a move for Emery before they decided to give Michael Carrick the permanent job.
With both clubs filling their managerial positions and Balague squashing talks of the Spaniard walking away this summer, Villa supporters can breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Guillem Balague’s respone
Balague, who has written a best-selling book on Emery’s transformation at Villa, called Rise of the Villans, has dismissed any rumours of Emery departing this summer.
When asked on the Market Madness podcast about whether Villa “are going to hold on to Unai Emery past this summer,” Balague responded with, “yes.”
He added: “There’s a bunch of things that will keep Unai Emery at Aston Villa, one it’s his club now. He’s not going to find that sort of thing anywhere else.
“He walks into Bodymoor Heath every day with the feeling that ‘I’ve got a responsibility towards what’s happening here and I’m going to put a lot of work into it to make it successful’.
“At the same time, knowing it’s a special place, a community now with the fans, the owners who completely understand and back everything he does, and he doesn’t have to explain after a win, a draw or a defeat why it’s happened because he’s surrounded by people who think exactly the same as him.
“He took them from a very low place to a place that is admired all over the world.”
ReadAstonVilla verdict
Balague’s reassurance cements Emery’s dedication to Villa, ending the speculation regarding a summer exit. Despite high-profile links to Real Madrid and Manchester United, both teams have now resolved their managerial vacancies.
This leaves Emery fully focused on his long-term project at Villa Park. Backed completely by the owners, connected to the supporters, and having total control over football operations, the Spaniard has built an ideal environment for his club.
Villa fans can look forward to the future with absolute certainty. Their world-class manager remains undeniably committed to driving the club to the top of English and European football.
