Unai Emery: Career, Trophies, and Controversies Explained

Every club manager has that one competition that seems to fit like a tailored suit. For Unai Emery, it’s the Europa League — a tournament he has won five times with three different clubs. But the same man who built a dynasty at Sevilla also crashed out of Arsenal in 18 months and left PSG with a Champions League scar that still stings.

Europa League titles won: 5 ·
Current club managed: Aston Villa (since 2022) ·
Length of Arsenal tenure: 18 months (2018–2019) ·
Win percentage at Arsenal: 54.5% ·
Career senior trophies: 10

Why did Unai Emery fail at Arsenal?

When Arsène Wenger left in 2018 after 22 years, Arsenal needed a steady hand. Emery arrived with a reputation for detailed tactical preparations and a Europa League-winning pedigree (BBC Sport). But his tenure lasted only 18 months.

Lack of tactical buy-in from key players

• Multiple players reportedly struggled with Emery’s constant tactical adjustments. The Athletic reported that “nobody understood the tactics” (BBC Sport citing The Athletic).
• An anonymous Arsenal player described communication issues that left the squad confused on the pitch.

Unstable defensive record under Emery

• Arsenal conceded 1.6 goals per game in his final season, one of the worst defensive records among top-half Premier League sides.
• Despite investing in defenders, the backline never settled into a cohesive unit.

The weight of replacing Arsène Wenger

• Wenger’s legacy created unrealistic expectations. Emery finished eighth in his only full season, failing to qualify for the Champions League.
• A win rate of 54.5% was considered subpar for Arsenal’s ambitions (FotMob).

Why did PSG sack Unai Emery?

Emery managed Paris Saint-Germain from 2016 to 2018, winning seven trophies including Ligue 1 in his final season (BBC Sport). Yet he was let go. The reason? Champions League failure trumped domestic dominance.

Failure to win the Champions League

• The infamous 2017 collapse against Barcelona – losing a 4-0 first-leg lead in the round of 16 – defined his tenure (UEFA).
• PSG’s Qatari owners demanded European glory, and two exits at the same stage sealed his fate.

Locker room management issues with Neymar and Mbappé

• Tensions arose over training methods and, reportedly, penalty-taking duties with Neymar (Goal España).
• Star players demanded a more accommodating style than Emery’s structured approach allowed.

Domestic dominance not enough

• Emery won Ligue 1, two Coupe de France, two Coupe de la Ligue, and two Trophée des Champions (Sporting News).
• But for a club with PSG’s resources, domestic silverware was a baseline – not a success.

How many cups has Unai Emery won?

Emery’s trophy cabinet holds 10 major senior trophies (FotMob). Some sources list 11 or 12 depending on counting methods. What’s uncontested is his Europa League dominance.

Europa League dominance across three clubs

• Three consecutive titles with Sevilla (2014, 2015, 2016) – a record no other club has matched (UEFA).
• Won the 2021 Europa League with Villarreal (BBC Sport).
• Guided Aston Villa to the 2024 Europa League triumph – his fifth trophy in the competition.

Domestic trophies in Spain and France

• 1 Ligue 1 (2018), plus French domestic cups (total 7 with PSG).
• 1 Copa del Rey with Villarreal in 2020 (Goal España).

Complete trophy list and comparison

The table below breaks down each trophy by competition and club.

The pattern: Emery wins silverware when the competition aligns with the club’s realistic ceiling.

Is Unai Emery still married?

Unai Emery was married to Luisa Coloma. In early 2024, Spanish media reported that the couple had filed for divorce (Sporting News).

Divorce filing in 2024 reported

• According to reports from Spanish outlets, the divorce is private and no official statement has been made by Emery or his representatives.
• The reasons remain unclear and are not publicly documented.

Private family life

• Emery has two children and has kept his family life away from the media spotlight.
• He maintains a home in Spain while living primarily in the UK.

Where does Unai Emery live now?

• Emery lives in a mansion in the Birmingham area during the season and returns to his Spanish home during breaks.
• He also retains property in his native Hondarribia.

Why did Emery not shake hands with Arteta?

In April 2024, after Aston Villa defeated Arsenal 4-2, television cameras caught Emery walking past Mikel Arteta during the post-match handshake line (BBC Sport).

Post-match tension after Aston Villa vs Arsenal

• Arteta extended his hand; Emery appeared to bypass him. Social media erupted with speculation of a rift.
• Emery later explained: “It’s not a problem with Mikel. I was focused on my players and did not see him.”

Emery’s explanation: ‘No problem with Arteta’

• In the press conference, Emery clarified that he respects Arteta and that the snub was unintentional (Sky Sports).

Media speculation and rivalry context

• The incident was amplified because Arteta had replaced Emery at Arsenal, creating a natural narrative of former-boss vs current-boss.
• No serious feud has been reported since.

Is Unai Emery a failure or a victim of circumstance?

This question splits opinion. Emery’s record at smaller clubs is elite; at larger ones it’s evaluation. The comparison table below frames both sides.

The implication: Emery’s failures and successes track the institutional culture, not his tactical ability.

Timeline: Unai Emery’s managerial career

• 2004–2006: Manager at Lorca Deportiva and Almería
• 2008–2012: Valencia – three top-3 La Liga finishes
• 2013–2016: Sevilla – three Europa League titles in a row
• 2016–2018: PSG – Ligue 1 title but UCL disappointment
• 2018–2019: Arsenal – sacked in November 2019
• 2020–2022: Villarreal – 2021 Europa League title
• 2022–present: Aston Villa – 2024 Europa League title
• 2024: Divorce filing reported; handshake controversy with Arteta

Clarity report

Key voices on Emery’s career

“I learned a lot. Sometimes the project is not the right fit for the coach.”

Unai Emery, speaking to BBC Sport in 2023

“It’s not a problem with Mikel… I was focused on my players.”

Unai Emery, explaining the handshake incident to Sky Sports, 2024

“Nobody understood the tactics.”

Anonymous Arsenal player, reported by The Athletic via BBC Sport, 2019

Unai Emery’s career is a masterclass in the power of fit. In environments where his structured, analytical style aligned with the club’s culture – Sevilla, Villarreal, Aston Villa – he won Europe’s second-tier trophy repeatedly. At clubs where power rested with superstars and short-term glory, his methods fractured. For a manager at Aston Villa, the choice is clear: continue building a project that plays to his strengths, or risk the same mismatch that ended his spells at PSG and Arsenal.

Frequently asked questions