Unai Emery has been announce as the new head coach of English Premier League side, Arsenal Football Club. He replaces Arsene Wenger who has been at the club for over a decade. Unai joins the club after completing a two-year spell at Paris Saint-Germain, where he recently landed the treble of Ligue 1, Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue.
Although he is a popular figure who has now stepped into the shoes of Arsene Wenger, here are a few things to note about him:
1. Unai began his managerial career after he was seriously injured in the knee while at Lorca in the 2004–05 season, Emery was offered the vacant manager position by the club president, and immediately helped the club achieve promotion to the second division for the first time in its history
2. He spent most of his playing career in Spain’s Segunda División
3. He spent three seasons with Sevilla, leading them to an unprecedented three consecutive Europa League titles
4. Unai spent four seasons in Valencia and led the team to three third-place finishes in four La Liga seasons
5. Unai Spent two years at PSG, won treble of Ligue 1, Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue.
Announcing the appointment, chief executive Ivan Gazidis said: “Unai has an outstanding track record of success throughout his career, has developed some of the best young talent in Europe and plays an exciting, progressive style of football that fits Arsenal perfectly. His hard-working and passionate approach and his sense of values on and off the pitch make him the ideal person to take us forward.
“We conducted a confidential, wide-ranging and rigorous search involving extensive background references, data and video analysis, and personal meetings with all the candidates we shortlisted. All were interested in the position and we were unanimous in our choice of Unai to drive the next chapter of our history.”
Majority owner Stan Kroenke said: “We’re delighted to welcome Unai to Arsenal. He’s a proven winner. We’re confident that he is the right person for the job and that he will work to deliver the triumphs our fans, staff and everyone who cares about Arsenal want.
“Several things stood out during his interview and the entire process; his football knowledge, energy, determination and love of the game. His familiarity with our club and our players, the Premier League and the game in Europe were all very impressive. He shares our vision to move forward, to build on the platform created by Arsène Wenger and help this club enjoy greater success.”
Unai Emery said: “I am thrilled to be joining one of the great clubs in the game. Arsenal is known and loved throughout the world for its style of play, its commitment to young players, the fantastic stadium, the way the club is run. I’m very excited to be given the responsibility to start this important new chapter in Arsenal’s history. I have met Stan and Josh Kroenke and it’s clear they have great ambitions for the club and are committed to bringing future success. I’m excited about what we can do together and I look forward to giving everyone who loves Arsenal some special moments and memories.”
Unai Emerey started his coaching career at Lorca Deportiva in 2005 after playing mostly in the Spanish second division. He went on to coach Almeria, Valencia and Spartak Moscow before joining Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain.
The appointment is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.
