Five UEFA Europa League titles define the career of Unai Emery, a record-holding Spanish manager who has commanded top-flight clubs across the continent. Transitioning from a steady tenure as a Segunda División midfielder to a rigorous coaching methodology, he has maintained a consistent presence at the highest levels of European club football for over two decades.
Early Career and Playing Years
Born in 1971 in Hondarribia, Spain, Emery came from a lineage of goalkeepers. His father, Juan, and grandfather, Antonio, both represented Real Unión, a club he later became a majority shareholder of in 2021. Emery played as a left-sided midfielder, graduating from the Real Sociedad youth system. He amassed 215 appearances in Spain's Segunda División before retiring as a player at age 32 while with Lorca Deportiva.
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Emery began his coaching career at Lorca Deportiva in 2004 following a knee injury, securing promotion to the second division in his first season. He subsequently moved to Almería, where he achieved a historic promotion to La Liga. His performance caught the attention of Valencia, whom he led to three consecutive third-place finishes in La Liga, re-establishing the club in the UEFA Champions League despite significant financial constraints.
European Success and International Stints
Following a brief, unsuccessful spell at Spartak Moscow in 2012, Emery returned to Spain in 2013 to manage Sevilla. There, he won three consecutive Europa League titles. A move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2016 yielded a Ligue 1 title and a domestic quadruple. He later managed Arsenal, where he reached a Europa League final, and Villarreal, with whom he secured another Europa League trophy in 2021.
Tenure at Aston Villa
In October 2022, Emery took charge of Premier League side Aston Villa. He elevated the club's trajectory, guiding them to a UEFA Conference League semi-final in 2024. By 2025, the team achieved a top-four Premier League finish and progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals. In 2026, he secured his fifth career Europa League title while managing the club.
Fast facts
- Born: 1971, Hondarribia, Spain
- Primary Occupation: Association football coach
- Europa League titles: 5
- Majority shareholder of: Real Unión
- Former club managed: Paris Saint-Germain
- Premier League club: Aston Villa
Questions readers ask
What is Unai Emery's record in the Europa League?
He has won the competition five times, setting a record for the most titles by a manager.
Did Unai Emery have a career as a professional player?
Yes, he played as a left-sided midfielder, primarily in Spain's Segunda División, before retiring in 2004.
Achievements
- Worked as association football player and association football coach
