Real Madrid target Unai Emery to become next boss with contact made

Unai Emery has done a stunning job with Aston Villa after transforming the side from relegation candidates into regular European qualifiers but it appears that his work hasn’t gone unnoticed

Real Madrid are reportedly interested in a move for Aston Villa boss Unai Emery as they consider another managerial change. The Spanish giants only sacked Xabi Alonso earlier this season after only eight months at the helm.

Former defender Alvaro Arbeloa was put in charge following his compatriot’s exit but the 43-year-old has not had the desired effect. Real were eliminated from the Spanish Cup by second-tier Albacete, while they also failed to automatically qualify for the Champions League last 16.

And it appears that Los Blancos are looking to the Premier League should they be forced into another change in the dugout. According to reports in Spain (via Sport Witness), Aston Villa boss Emery is the ‘best positioned’ to take the role.

They have even been in touch with his representatives to gauge whether he would be interested in moving to the Bernabeu. Emery, 54, has had hugely successful spells in Spain with Valencia, Sevilla and Villarreal, winning the Europa League on four occasions – three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal.

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He was appointed by Aston Villa in November 2022 and has masterminded a stunning rise up the Premier League table. The Midlands club have played in each of the three European competitions, reaching the Champions League quarter-finals last term.

Emery remains under contract with Villa until 2029, having signed a new five-year deal 18 months ago. However, there has been some slight concern over his future.

After the Spaniard claimed that Villa were not contenders for a Champions League spot, Stuart Pearce suggested he might not stay at the club for much longer. He said: “I don’t know whether the frustration going forward will be too much for him that he can’t take this team any further than he is and what the implications are for him and his job situation going forward.

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“Because he’s certainly alerted a lot of clubs that there’s an outstanding manager there.”

Villa currently sit third in the Premier League table and just four points behind leaders Arsenal. They have attempted to bolster their side recently with the signing of Tammy Abraham from Besiktas, while midfielder Douglas Luiz has returned to the club on loan from Juventus.

Villa are back in action on Thursday evening as they take on Red Bull Salzburg in the Europa League ahead of this weekend’s clash with Brentford.

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