Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is reportedly being considered by Real Madrid as a potential candidate for their managerial vacancy this summer. According to talkSPORT, club president Florentino Perez has compiled a shortlist of targets, with Emery among the names being evaluated.
Current Managerial Situation at Real Madrid
Real Madrid sacked Xabi Alonso mid-season and promoted under-21s coach Alvaro Arbeloa to the role on an interim basis. However, results have not gone to plan, with bitter rivals Barcelona holding an 11-point lead at the top of La Liga. The club was also eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Bayern Munich at the quarter-final stage last month.
Jose Mourinho Also a Candidate
Former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly at the top of Perez's shortlist. Mourinho only joined SL Benfica in September and is under contract until June 2027. However, his deal reportedly includes a break clause that can be activated at the end of the season by either the club or Mourinho himself.
Emery's Contract and Success at Aston Villa
Unai Emery, meanwhile, is contracted at Aston Villa until 2029, having signed a five-year extension in May 2024 following the club's qualification for the Champions League at the end of his first full season in charge. Under Emery, Villa have established themselves as a competitive force in the Premier League and European competitions.
Ally McCoist's Reaction
Speaking on talkSPORT, Ally McCoist expressed his desire for Emery to remain at Villa Park. "I'll be honest with you, I don't want him to go," he said. "Love him, like everything about him... I think it'd be bordering on devastation at Villa Park if they lost him."
McCoist also acknowledged the intrigue of seeing Emery manage star players like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. "But, do you know something? The naughty part of me would love to see him handle (Kylian) Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, and those boys. I think that would be really, really interesting. It's no surprise (to see Emery linked with Madrid), he is top class."
He added: "Listen, he was disappointed with the level of performance his team put in yesterday (2-1 defeat to Tottenham). But, why would he not come into the thinking of being their next manager? He's proved it at every level, Arsenal aside. He has been absolutely fantastic, but I want him to stay."
