Unai Emery Pays Tribute To Villarreal Ahead Of Aston Villa Move
Outgoing Villarreal manager Unai Emery has bid an emotional farewell to the club ahead of his move to Aston Villa.
Emery has been chosen as Steven Gerrard's replacement at Villa Park after a €6m compensation fee exchanged hands between the two clubs.
Emery was in charge of Villarreal for just over two years following a difficult 18-month spell in charge of Arsenal.
The 50-year-old rebuilt his reputation in Spain, leading Villarreal to Europa League glory in 2021 as well as the Champions League semi-finals last season.
Speaking at a farewell press conference on Tuesday, Emery told reporters in an emotional address: "Here I have been very me."
"They gave me the conditions to be my best version of me, [but] you have to continue having challenges.
"In Villarreal I've had a home. I called Fernando [Roig, club president] on Friday to tell him the situation, that I wanted to play the game on Sunday and then on Monday to meet again.
"[On Monday] everything was unleashed. I called Fernando only when there was already something more serious going on."
On his move, Emery added: "It is a professional and personal decision.
"I always carry my baggage, with many complicated and beautiful moments. Here I found a very important family and I have felt something of heart again.
"But the profession is within me. I felt I had to take this option. It's a different challenge, but professionally a very good one."
