Unai Emery's teams coached, achievements and coaching career path

Unai Emery's teams coached, achievements and coaching career path

Lenah Ann
updated at November 6, 2023 at 8:30 AM

Most prestigious soccer players often take up managerial roles upon retiring. The likes of Mikel Arteta, Erik Ten Haag, Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, and Unai Emery are known not only for their current managerial roles but also for having great soccer careers in their early years. Well, read on to find more information about the teams Unai Emery has coached.

Emery Unai's coaching career
Unai Emery, manager of Aston Villa, during the Premier League match against Luton Town at Villa Park on 29 October 2023 in Birmingham, England. Photo: James Gill (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Who is Unai Emery, though? Unai, whose full name is Unai Emery Etxegoien, is a Spanish-based football manager and former player who manages the Premier League club Aston Villa. The manager transitioned into coaching after retiring in 2004.

Number of teams Unai Emery has coached

A former soccer player turned manager with more than 15 years of experience, Emery has led some of the biggest clubs in Europe and is currently managing Aston Villa in the Premier League.

After an in-depth analysis, Sports Brief compiled a list detailing the various teams Unai Emery has ever coached. Read on to find out more about Emery Unai's coaching career and whether Unai Emery is a good manager.

Lorca, Almeria, and Valencia

While at Lorca Deportiva, the former athlete was forced into early retirement as a player and was allowed to coach the club. Unexpectedly, he immediately guided them into the second division for the first time in its history and was awarded the Coach of the Season trophy.

He then joined Almeria in 2006 and took them into La Liga for the first time, and then steered the club to the eighth position in their first season in the top flight during the 2007/08 campaign. His skills and abilities were now recognised, and various clubs, such as Valencia, came calling, where he managed the financially stricken club for almost half a decade.

teams Unai Emery has played for
Emery, head coach of Aston Villa before the UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24 match against AZ Alkmaar on 26 October 2023 in Alkmaar, Netherlands. Photo: Neville Williams (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Spartak Moscow

On 13 May 2012, Leonid Fedun, owner of the club, announced Emery as the Russian club's coach for the following two seasons. Unfortunately, he was sacked after an alleged consistent run of poor results after managing the side for only six months.

Sevilla

The former professional player took over as Sevilla's head coach in January 2013 after replacing Michel. In his first season, he steered the soccer club to fifth in the La Liga and the UEFA Europa League titles. He was proving his worth almost in every match. As a matter of fact, his side beat Benfica in the final of the latter on penalties.

During the 2014/15 season, Emery again led Sevilla to fifth place as they finished one point behind his former club, Valencia, in the La Liga standings. They beat Dnipropetrovsk in the final of the UEFA Europa League and qualified for the league.

Paris Saint-Germain

On 28 June 2016, the famous coach signed a two-year contract with the option of a third to succeed Laurent Blanc at French quadruple-holders Paris Saint-Germain. In his first competitive match in charge, his side beat Lyon, and that was proof enough that he would manage the club well.

Additionally, he led PSG to second place in their group in the Champions League, behind Arsenal. As if that was not enough, his team defeated Barcelona at the Parc des Princes. In the next Champions League season, his club finished top of their group, in which Emery led them to a win over Bayern Munich during the second match.

teams coached by Unai Emery
Unai of Aston Villa reacts during the Group E UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24 match against AZ Alkmaar at AFAS Stadion on 26 October 2023 in Alkmaar, Netherlands. Photo: Rene Nijhuis
Source: Getty Images

Arsenal

The famous coach is also known to have coached Arsenal. He was appointed head coach of the club on 23 May 2018. He agreed to a two-year deal, with the club having the option to extend his contract for another year. In his first competitive match while in charge, his side lost to Manchester City in the Premier League.

After a second consecutive loss to Chelsea, Emery recorded his first win as the manager in a 3-1 home win over West Ham United, the Hammers. Unlike the previous teams he had coached, his tenure with Arsenal seemed not to have been a walk in the park.

As a result, following a series of poor results and a winless run of seven games, he got sacked. His final game in charge was a home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League. He was permanently replaced by Mikel Arteta, who is currently the coach of the soccer club.

Villarreal

After his tenure with Arsenal, Emery returned to Spain to manage Villarreal, and once again, his appointment brought with it more suitable. For starters, in his first season in charge, the club lifted the Europa League trophy, beating his old club, Arsenal, during the semi-finals and Manchester United on penalties in the final.

Could he be good in Spain? Fans would often speculate. The following season, the club reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, knocking out the renowned European giants Juventus and Bayern Munich on the way.

Unai Emery's achievements
Unai, head coach of Aston Villa, in action during a training session at Villa Park on 25 October 2023 in Birmingham, England. Photo: Neville Williams
Source: Getty Images

Aston Villa

In November 2022, Emery left Villarreal to join Premier League side Aston Villa and, with no time, secured seventh place for the first time in 13 years at the end of the 2022/23 season. He is recognised for turning Villa from a side that was facing a relegation battle to finishing 17 points better off than their previous campaign.

Although he was just recently appointed as their manager, the Aston Villa coach has yet to showcase his entire skills by leading the club to various heights.

Teams Unai Emery has played for

Before being appointed coach in his first team, he used to be a soccer player, and he played for the following teams.

  • (1990-1995) Real Sociedad B
  • (1995-1996) Real Sociedad
  • (1996-2000) Toledo
  • (2000-2002) Racing Ferrol
  • (2002-2003) Leganes
  • (2003-2004) Lorca Deportiva

What trophies has Unai Emery won?

The professional soccer manager is regarded as one of Europe's top managers, and his stock has continued to soar following Villarreal's shock progression to the last four of the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League.

Below are some of the trophies and achievements he has had as far as his career progress is concerned

Sevilla - 2013-16

  • Trophies won: 3 Europa League in 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16

Paris Saint-Germain - 2016-18

  • Trophies won: Coupe De La Ligue 2016/17 and 2017/18, Trophee des Champions 2016 and 2017, 7 Ligue 1 2017/18, Coupe de France 2016/17 and 2017/18,
Unai Emery's teams he has coached
Emery, head coach of Aston Villa, in action during the Premier League match against West Ham United at Villa Park on 22 October 2023 in Birmingham, England. Photo: Neville Williams
Source: Getty Images

Villarreal - 2020-2022

  • Trophies won: 1 (Europa League 2020/21)

Unai Emery's biography

The professional football coach, Unai Emery Etxegoien, was born on 3 November 1971 in Hondarribia, Gipuzkoa, Spain, to Juan Emery and Amelia Etxegoien. He has been overly discrete about whether or not he has siblings. He is married to Luisa Fernandez and has been blessed with one kid, Lander Emery Fernandez.

What is Unai Emery's age?

As of November 2023, he is 51 years of age. According to astrology, his zodiac sign is Scorpio. He stands at the height of 5 feet 11 inches, which is equivalent to 180 centimtres, and his weight is 168 pounds or 76 kilograms. He has black hair and dark brown eyes.

Looking at the various teams Unai Emery has coached, it is clear that he is one promising coach in the near future. Nevertheless, he is renowned for Villarreal's progression to the last four of the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League. He has yet to lead Aston Villa to greater heights.

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Authors
Lenah Ann photo
Lenah Ann
Lenah Ann is a Kenyan-based content creator with 2 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication from Dedan Kimathi, Kenya in 2021.
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Pep GuardiolaErik Ten HaagMikel ArtetaCarlo AncelottiUnai Emery