Spanish coach Iñigo Idiakez has explained why he accepted the offer to manage Real Unión and leave Aston Villa, despite being convinced into the move by Unai Emery in the summer.
El Diario Vasco cover comments from the coach as he gets set for his official debut for the Spanish side after replacing previous manager Fran Justo.
He made the move from Aston Villa at the end of last month, with the Spanish side electing to change manager in somewhat controversial circumstances.
The decision to change reportedly came from Aston Villa, who, after signing a partnership agreement with the club, which is part owned by manager Unai Emery and his family, seemingly decided to start wielding their influence.
Thus, having a man they know and trust, and has already worked with some of those players before, made sense and the decision was made to get rid of Justo and bring in Idiakez.
He’s now explained the situation from his viewpoint admitting he didn’t think twice despite Unai Emery’s work to get him at Villa Park in the first place.
“I didn’t hesitate, I really wanted to return home,” he said.
“(It) has been a bit crazy because I was recently in Mexico training the Cancún Fútbol Club and at the end of the season Unai Emery called me to return to England to train and although I didn’t really want to, (but) when a coach like Unai calls you, it is very difficult to say no.”
“It is not the same to train an Aston Villa reserve team as it is to train Real Unión.
“It is a club that has a lot of history, and you have to do things very well, you have to work very well. There are things we have to improve. We really want to do things well and go little by little and win.”
