Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is on the verge of signing a new long-term contract with the club, dealing a significant blow to Manchester United, who had been linked with the Spaniard as pressure mounts on Michael Carrick.
Key Highlights
- Unai Emery is set to sign a long-term extension beyond his current Aston Villa deal, which runs to 2029.
- The move ends Manchester United’s interest in the Spaniard as a possible replacement for Michael Carrick.
- Prising Emery away would have cost United nearly £20 million in release fees.
- Emery held talks with chairman Nassef Sawiris after Villa’s Champions League game at Barcelona.
- Villa confirmed “a clear commitment beyond 2029” following the meeting.
Emery has been widely tipped as a leading candidate to replace Carrick in the Old Trafford dugout, but he now appears ready to commit his future to Villa Park.
The Spaniard intends to sign an extension that runs well beyond his current deal, which expires in 2029. Keeping him is a major victory for Villa’s hierarchy, as prising the former Arsenal manager away would have cost United nearly £20 million in release fees.
Talks With Villa Hierarchy
Emery held advanced talks with Aston Villa chairman Nassef Sawiris on Wednesday, following the club’s Champions League clash at Barcelona. The meeting also included president of football operations Roberto Olabe and director of football operations Damián Vidagany.
An official Aston Villa statement confirmed the positive nature of the discussions.
“Aston Villa held an important working meeting today to plan the club’s future and lay the foundations for its long-term sporting and institutional project,” it read.
“The discussions focused on jointly planning the club’s long-term strategic direction, with positive discussions establishing a clear commitment beyond 2029 for the joint development of the club.”
Read also:
- Carragher Apologises To Aston Villa Over Controversial Emery Comments
- Carrick Retains Man Utd Job For Chelsea Clash Amid Sack Speculation
- Barcelona Thrash Aston Villa 3-0 to End Unbeaten Champions League Run
Emery’s Villa Revival
Emery has transformed Villa since his arrival in October 2022, lifting the Europa League trophy and leading the club into the Champions League on two occasions.
That success has been built on a strategic squad overhaul. Despite selling six starters from their Europa League final win over Freiburg, Villa rebuilt with 10 new signings, including club-record addition Nicolas Jackson.
The club’s hierarchy says it wants to maintain that upward trajectory, stating that “the objective is clear: to build an ambitious, competitive Aston Villa capable of taking on the biggest challenges and achievements.”
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