The former Aston Villa Director of Football, Monchi reflects how his relation with Unai Emery was not always on good terms.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has a successful partnership history with Monchi. He is the current director of football in Espanyol. Such has been his well-known role in his career. Emery and Monchi were the key figures in building the foundation of The Lions’ rise in the first two years in Villa Park.
Previously, they were working together in Sevilla. They became a dominant force in Europa League by winning three times in a row from 2014 to 2016.
However, their relationship turned out to be rocky too at times. Monchi reflects such a time when Emery was in Arsenal, as reported in Muncho Deporte via Sportwitness.
“It caused a bit of friction with Unai – because he was very excited, as was I, about me going to Arsenal – but I came to Sevilla instead. “
The partnership in Arsenal was only one of the expected ones but did not happen. Monchi remembered that at that time he decided to leave AS Roma, and Emery contacted him to join him.
“I was on the verge of going. But amidst the whirlwind of exchanging contracts with Arsenal, Pepe Castro called me. Just as he had helped me leave for Roma because I asked him to, I couldn’t say no to that call.”
The second one when Emery was in PSG. The Spaniard boss has always been in demand every season. Back in Sevilla, Monchi recalled how AC Milan and Napoli once inquired about him but Emery was not interested.
However, when PSG made the call, Emery was keen on it, despite his initial disinterest.
“He didn’t pick up at first, but eventually, he did, He told me, ‘Look, Monchi, I couldn’t tell you anything because PSG told me they were working on terminating Laurent Blanc’s contract. They couldn’t say a word because it involved a huge sum of money and they had to negotiate it, so I couldn’t tell you anything. But yes, I’ve received an offer from PSG, and I’m going.’
“So, he left – no hard feelings – and we maintained our relationship.”
Monchi did get another call from Emery to join him in Paris but he did not take it until another call to Villa.
Monchi at last agreed to reunite with Emery in Bodymoor Heath after refusing twice before. The Sevilla-born football executive enjoyed their partnership with his Spanish fellow again. Yet, he noticed how the ex Valencia boss has transformed into a new figure.
“The Unai I know from Sevilla is nothing like the Unai I’ve come to know in Birmingham; he is a much better Unai, because he is someone who is always striving to improve. He is deeply inquisitive about football – obsessed with video analysis, imagery, and match preparation – and a coach who has almost always been successful.”
Emery and Monchi are set to encounter again in Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium on October 2. Emery would be returning there to lead Villa in a game against Sevilla in the Antonio Puerta trophy, where Monchi will be present.
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