Dan Bardell has expressed skepticism about the possibility of Unai Emery leaving Aston Villa for Manchester United following the sacking of Erik Ten Hag. On Monday, October 28, Manchester United confirmed that the Dutchman had been relieved of his duties, prompting speculation about potential replacements.
Amidst this backdrop, calls have arisen for Emery to be considered for the managerial position at Old Trafford. Former Manchester United player Paul Scholes even suggested that the Villa boss would “walk to Manchester” if offered the job, according to talkSPORT. However, Bardell dismissed this notion as “laughable,” arguing that Emery would not entertain a move away from Villa Park.
In an exclusive interview with Villa News, Bardell elaborated on his stance. He stated, “If you got in a time machine and went back to the 90s and 2000s, I think Emery might have been tempted to go to Man United from Villa. But we’re not in that era now. With the way that Villa are as a football club compared to how Man United are, there is absolutely no chance that Emery would even think about leaving to join Manchester United.”
Bardell further emphasized the stability and direction Aston Villa currently enjoys under Emery’s leadership. He mentioned that Villa has created an environment in which the manager has everything he needs to succeed.
“I think Villa are secure. They’ve got Emery for the duration of his contract, and he’s got everything that he would want. The whole club is built around him. He wouldn’t get that at other football clubs, especially not Man United,” Bardell said.
The journalist’s comments underscore the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs. While Aston Villa has made significant strides under Emery, emerging from relegation battles to now being at the top of the Champions League table, Manchester United is grappling with instability and uncertainty after the departure of Ten Hag. Bardell concluded, “It is laughable that they think they are enough of a draw to get Emery. He wouldn’t touch them with a bargepole, and I’m absolutely certain of that.”
Emery’s impact at Aston Villa has been remarkable, and his commitment to the club appears unwavering. In just over two years, he has transformed Villa from a side flirting with relegation to a competitive force in European football. The fact that he has guided the team to the top of the Champions League table highlights his effectiveness and the potential that lies within the club.
Moreover, the relationship between Emery and the club is fortified by shared interests. Aston Villa has ownership stakes in his former club Real Union, and key figures in his coaching staff, including renowned sporting director Monchi, are integral to Villa’s current setup. Given these factors, it seems improbable that Emery would consider a switch to Manchester United, especially when the club is thriving under his management.
Villa fans will undoubtedly hope that any rumors linking Emery with a move to Old Trafford are quickly dismissed, as the prospect of losing such a talented manager would be alarming. The ongoing evolution of Aston Villa as a football club and the successes achieved under Emery’s stewardship make it clear that he is in the right place to continue building something special.
In summary, Bardell’s assertions highlight the disconnect between the perceptions of Manchester United as a footballing giant and the reality of their current situation. Emery’s success at Aston Villa, coupled with the club’s stability and direction, makes a move to Old Trafford not just unlikely but also unappealing.
With all these factors in play, Emery’s future seems firmly rooted in the ambitions of Aston Villa, leaving Manchester United to search elsewhere for a new manager.