Managers had ultimate control at the clubs I played for, but I appreciate the game has evolved. Brighton for example stick to a long-term plan even when head coaches come and go.
Unai Emery is a throwback. He has the power at Aston Villa that Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger once enjoyed. Instead of being appointed by those running football operations, he has chosen them!
There is no exact science to these things. I’m not sure other clubs will follow the Villa way but it’s working for them — as beating Bayern Munich proved.
There couldn’t be more of a contrast between Villa’s upwards trajectory and Sunday’s opponents Manchester United.Â
If Erik ten Hag is sacked, would Emery be tempted to replace him? I’d be gobsmacked if he did, certainly if he felt he’d have less influence at Old Trafford than he does now.
Unai Emery is a throwback. Instead of being appointed by those running football operations, he has chosen them!
He has the power at Aston Villa that Sir Alex Ferguson (pictured) once enjoyed at Man United
Managers had ultimate control at the clubs I played for, but I appreciate the game has evolved
It’s clear from the way Villa are doing business that Emery has complete trust in the football executives Monchi and Damian Vidagany, who he’s worked with before.
They are partners rather than having a chain of command. Emery has power but clearly he doesn’t use it to be a tyrant or dictator.Â
You can tell by Villa’s recruitment that he is happy to take advice on players and backs his coaching to improve them. He wouldn’t have known a lot about Jaden Philogene, Morgan Rogers or even Ross Barkley, but they’ve fitted in seamlessly.
It was a risk for Villa owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris to give Emery and his close-knit group the keys to the football operation.
It doesn’t always work — Liverpool seemed to regress the more authority Rafa Benitez had — but the relationship Emery had with Monchi at Sevilla persuaded the powers-that-be they had a real diamond on their hands.Â
It’s a unique arrangement in today’s Premier League.
Anyone else and the Villa hierarchy might be worried about a vacancy at United. But Emery’s commitment to the cause means I’d be shocked if he was tempted.
He is adored by Villa fans and the players will run through walls for him. They have a very high ceiling and importantly he is well-backed by the owners.Â
I am not saying he wouldn’t be at United but it’s other people who would be in charge of recruitment and he wouldn’t be able to bring in his people.
There is no exact science to these things. I’m not sure other clubs will follow the Villa way but it’s working for them
If Erik ten Hag is sacked, would Emery be tempted to replace him? I’d be gobsmacked if he did
Emery has complete trust in the football executives Monchi (right) and Damian Vidagany (left)
Ten Hag hasn’t been trusting enough at United. Too often he’s gone with what he knows, players based in the Netherlands — it’s an insecurity.
Many of Villa’s signings had already learned to cope with English football or come through the system here, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, Rogers and Ian Maatsen among them.
Expectations are growing at Villa, it’s a good place to be.