“I have nothing to say.”
Unai Emery responded when asked about the possibility of accepting the Real Madrid job in the future after Aston Villa sealed a place in the UEFA Europa League round of 16 last week.
The former Sevilla and Villarreal tactician remained tight-lipped as questions regarding his links to the mammoth Madrid vacancy piled up. However, as tends to be the case, remaining tight-lipped to the media does not mean that moves cannot happen.
Madrid parted ways with Xabi Alonso in January, with Alvaro Arbeloa taking the reins for the foreseeable future.
While Emery’s stock at Villa is high, given he has turned them from mid-table mediocrity to a regular European football outfit, the move presents a fascinating and perhaps even dangerous dilemma. Striver.football analyses the pros and cons of the possibility.
Should Emery leave Villa’s structure for Madrid?
At Villa Park, everything has been set in place for Emery to easily succeed. After joining from Villarreal in 2022, the Spanish tactician has transformed a side that was battling relegation from the Premier League into a genuine league contender.
Under his watch, players like Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers have become disciples of his meticulous video sessions and rigid positioning.
He also has a long-term contract at the club, with his current deal running until 2029. The clubs’ management have also granted him full autonomy over transfers. Rogers, who has blossomed into an England international since moving from Middlesbrough in January 2024, is one example.
And it is not just at Villa. In previous clubs where he has proven successful at Villarreal and Sevilla, he had been granted freedom to alter the squad in his own way. These are environments that have enabled him to deliver four Europa League titles.
Emery’s lack of full control cost him at Arsenal and PSG
If Emery were to leave for Madrid, he would find himself in familiar territory, as was the case at PSG and Arsenal.
The Real Madrid board, led by Florentino Perez, historically prioritises star power over tactical systems. Managers are instructed to work with what they have. This could prove detrimental.
When at PSG between 2016 and 2019, Emery did not have control over the signings of players like Neymar for a world record £222 million, as well as Kylian Mbappe, after a breakthrough season with Monaco.
At Arsenal, he was restricted to the role of head coach. He had very limited say over incomings and outgoings. One such case was in the summer of 2019, when he ideally wanted Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace, but was instead given Nicolas Pepe.
In the end, it was difficult for him to really set up both squads in his own image, and it cost him both jobs in the end.
Emery’s struggles with managing big personalities
The biggest red flag in Emery’s CV remains his tenure at PSG. Despite winning trophies, he struggled to command a dressing room of gargantuan egos.
The infamous penalty gate between Neymar and Edinson Cavani exposed Emery’s inability to mediate between superstars.
When Neymar refused to yield, Emery’s authority crumbled. At Arsenal, he experienced the same thing, mostly with Mesut Ozil. A micromanager, Emery demanded intense workrate off the ball from his players, and as a result, Ozil was among those ostracised.
Over time, his fallout with the German was clear, and he was one of the players who did not even wish Emery good luck after he got sacked in November 2019.
Moving to Real Madrid would mean inheriting a locker room containing Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham.
One of the reasons Xabi Alonso lost his job was because of his fallout with Vinicius Junior. During Madrid’s 2-1 win over Barcelona in October, Vinicius Jr angrily threw tantrums after Alonso subbed him off for failing to track back.
Likewise, if Emery tries to bench one of Real Madrid’s high-profile stars, the Bernabeu crowd – and then the dressing room – will turn on him within weeks.
Would Emery’s tactics suit Madrid?
Emery’s current Aston Villa system relies on an aggressive high line and a double-pivot midfield.
Real Madrid’s current squad lacks defensive structure. On the upside, Emery’s tactics could correct their shakiness off the ball.
On the other hand, Madrid’s identity is built on Remontadas and individual moments of magic. Emery’s football can sometimes feel over-engineered, potentially stifling the creative freedom that allows players like Mbappé to flourish.
Would Emery make sense for Madrid?
Emery is arguably the best coach in the world for a team punching above its weight. However, Madrid need a manager who is good at working with what they have, while managing big egos.
Those kinds of managers have thrived at the Bernabeu, including Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti.
If Emery does end up getting the job, it would mean relinquishing his desire for control.
