On October 24th, Aston Villa announced Unai Emery as their new manager.
The Premier League side also confirmed the Spaniard will take over at Villa Park from next month, after obtaining the work permit.
Aston Villa took the former Arsenal manager from Villarreal, four days after they sacked Steven Gerrard following their poor start to the season.
The Yellow Submarine host Hapoel Be’er Sheva in a UEFA Conference League clash today. Prior to the tie, Villarreal midfielder Manu Trigueros spoke on various topics, including the manager’s decision to leave the La Liga side for the Villans.
Aston Villa reportedly paid Emery’s €6m release clause to take him away from the Spanish club, which has left Trigueros surprised. The 31-year-old gave this response when asked how he experienced the coach’s exit.
“We found out on Monday during the day. We were surprised because we were getting a lot of things out of it,” he said, as relayed by AS.
Trigueros was part of the Villarreal squad that won the Europa League under Emery in 2021. Although it has come as a shock, he has accepted Emery’s decision to leave them for Aston Villa.
“In the end in football nothing surprises you, but I got a surprise. We had two and a half years with him and good results. We were surprised, but he had his reasons,” he added.
“Now we welcome Setién who will find a group of good people, footballers and that will give him many facilities to work with.”
Meanwhile, journalist Iván Martín, writing in his column for Mundo Deportivo, admits he is ‘still freaking out’ with Emery’s decision to join the English club.
“For me, beyond the irrefutable offers, he does not leave his commitment in a good place. I understand that you can get carried away by the offer of a club or an important team, of a train that may never happen again. But, with all due respect to Aston Villa, I just don’t understand it, really,” Martín said.
