Paul Scholes recently sparked controversy with his comments on Unai Emery, suggesting that if Manchester United offered Emery the manager role, he would “walk there” to accept it.
Scholes’ remarks, made on talkSPORT, were considered disrespectful not only to Emery but to Aston Villa, where the Spanish manager has made significant strides since joining in 2022.
After leading Aston Villa from 17th to a European spot within months, Emery has proven his credentials as one of Europe’s top tacticians. Villa’s supporters were largely unperturbed by Scholes’ comments, feeling confident that Emery is firmly committed to the club. His success has extended Villa’s ambitions, taking them to the Europa Conference League semi-finals and now aiming for Champions League qualification.
What stands out about Emery’s tenure at Villa is the unique level of control he has been granted. Villa’s co-owner, Nassef Sawiris, offered Emery substantial autonomy following Steven Gerrard’s departure, allowing him to bring in his own staff, including Director of Football Operations Damian Vidagany and President of Football Operations Monchi. This freedom is rare in top-tier football and has been instrumental in shaping the team’s recent progress.
Back in April, Villa secured Emery’s future by triggering a one-year extension to avoid transfer speculation and soon followed this with a five-year contract, binding him until 2029. This long-term commitment underscores Villa’s trust in Emery, envisioning a relationship akin to Sir Alex Ferguson’s transformative era at Manchester United.
While rumors swirl around managerial changes at United, Villa supporters see Emery as deeply rooted in his current project. His vision and the control he has been granted make it unlikely he would be swayed by United or any other club.