Villareal president Fernando Roig has taken a parting shot at departing manager Unai Emery as he leaves the La Liga club to become manager of Premier League club Aston Villa to replace Steven Gerrard.
The Spanish tactician seems to have left Villarreal under awkward circumstances as they now have to look for a replacement in the middle of the season, and club president Roig certainly doesn’t sound at all happy with him for the way he departed, despite still trying to maintain the niceties.
Discussing the situation of losing Emery to Villa, Roig told AS: “We end things well, but he has caught us on the back foot in a strange season.
“We appreciate your work, but it is true that it leaves us on the back foot. We wish you the best, it leaves us a bit screwed, but those of us who are here are going to move on.
“We find ourselves a bit disappointed, but we thank you and we wish you the best.”
Emery immediately replaces former Liverpool ace and ex Rangers manager Steven Gerrard at Villa Park, and seems to be an astute appointment by the struggling Premier League side, who have at least now done well to turn to someone with more managerial experience and nous to turn their disappointing season around.
Villa have invested considerably in the transfer market in recent times despite sitting only 15th in the table and will need to see improved results and performances escalating quickly.
Emery, at least since his recent tenure with Arsenal in the Premier League, has done great work with Villarreal, having also won the Europa League during his time in charge of Sevilla.
His only previous spell with the Gunners in England was admittedly not up to expectations but, writing in his exclusive CaughtOffside column today, Fabrizio Romano backed the 50-year-old to do well at Villa.
“I think it’s an excellent move for Aston Villa. Emery is a great coach and appointing him in October was really difficult… long-term project and future investments convinced Unai,” Romano said.
“This is different kind of job compared to Arsenal and I’m sure he will have more time, less pressure and great support.”