Unai Emery: Career, trophies & managerial record

Sacked by Arsenal in 2019, Unai Emery rebuilt his reputation by winning the Europa League with Villarreal and guiding Aston Villa into Europe’s elite. His 11 major trophies and four Europa League titles reflect resilience as much as tactical acumen.

Nationality: Spanish · Current club: Aston Villa · Career trophies: 11 (including 4 Europa League titles) · Born: 3 November 1971 · Managerial win rate (approx.): 50% · Europa League titles: 4 (with Sevilla & Villarreal)

Six key facts about Emery’s personal and professional profile, one pattern: his career has moved relentlessly upward despite major setbacks.

The pattern of upward trajectory despite setbacks is consistent across his career.

Is Unai Emery still married?

Who is Unai Emery’s wife?

Unai Emery has been married to Luisa Martinez since 2015 (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)). The couple have three children together and largely keep their family life out of the public eye.

What is Unai Emery’s marital status?

As of 2025, there are no public reports of divorce or separation. Emery and Martinez continue to be seen together at occasional club events, and he often credits her support in interviews. The pair maintain a low profile, with little media coverage of their private affairs.

Why did Arsenal sack Emery?

What were Emery’s results at Arsenal?

Emery took over Arsenal in May 2018 and led the club to the Europa League final in his first season, losing to Chelsea. The following season, a run of poor results — including a 2–2 draw with Southampton and a 2–1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt — triggered his dismissal on 29 November 2019 (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)). His win rate at Arsenal was roughly 50%, but the team lacked a coherent playing style and had slipped to eighth in the Premier League.

Why was Ozil removed from Arsenal?

Mesut Özil’s relationship with Emery soured early. Emery wanted more defensive work from the German playmaker and occasionally left him out of the starting XI. After Emery’s departure, Özil said he felt “unhappy” under the Spaniard’s management (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)). The exact reasons remain partially unclear, though it was widely seen as a tactical and man-management conflict.

Did player discontent lead to his sacking?

Multiple reports suggest Emery lost the dressing room. Granit Xhaka’s clash with fans and Özil’s exclusion created a fractured atmosphere. The board ultimately felt Emery was not the long-term solution, and the decision was made after a winless run of seven games in all competitions (BBC Sport (UK broadcaster)).

How many trophies has Unai Emery won?

How many Europa League titles has Unai Emery won?

Emery has won the Europa League four times — three with Sevilla (2014, 2015, 2016) and one with Villarreal (2021). That makes him the most successful manager in the competition’s history (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).

What trophies did Unai Emery win with Sevilla?

• 3 Europa League titles (2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16)
• 1 Copa del Rey (2015–16) — Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)

What trophies did Unai Emery win with PSG?

• 1 Ligue 1 (2017–18)
• 1 Coupe de France (2017–18)
• 1 Coupe de la Ligue (2017–18)
• 1 Trophée des Champions (2017) — Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)

Five domestic titles, one pattern: Emery dominates when given time and resources, yet his European pedigree is unmatched.

Is Unai Emery a good manager?

What is Unai Emery’s win record?

Emery’s overall managerial win rate across all clubs is approximately 50% (Transfermarkt (football statistics)). At Aston Villa, that figure has risen to around 55% since he took over in November 2022.

How does Emery compare to other managers?

In European competitions, Emery’s record is elite. He has won the Europa League four times — more than any other club or manager. However, his league performance is more inconsistent: he finished second in Ligue 1 with PSG (behind Monaco) and failed to secure a top-four spot at Arsenal.

What are Emery’s strengths and weaknesses?

• Strengths: Tactical flexibility, ability to develop players (e.g., Ollie Watkins at Villa), and elite cup management.
• Weaknesses: Struggles with squad rotation, can be overly cautious in big league matches, and his man-management has been questioned (Arsenal, PSG).

What happened between Emery and Tielemans?

Did Emery shove Tielemans?

During Aston Villa’s Europa League match against Fenerbahce on 22 January 2026, Emery was seen shoving midfielder Youri Tielemans as he substituted him in stoppage time. Television replays showed Emery refusing Tielemans’ hand and pushing him as he walked toward the bench (ESPN (sports news)). Villa had just secured a 1–0 win that booked direct qualification to the Europa League round of 16 (Fox Sports (sports broadcaster)).

What did Emery say about the incident?

After the match, Emery laughed off the altercation, telling reporters: “He’s my son. He’s my son” (ESPN (sports news)). The pair reportedly spoke in the dressing room and hugged it out (India Today (Indian news outlet)). Tielemans himself did not comment publicly, but the incident went viral on social media (Sky Sports (UK sports channel)).

Timeline: Unai Emery’s managerial career

Nine stops, one thread: Emery rebuilds, wins, and moves on — often after a setback.

• 2004–2006 – Manager of Lorca Deportiva
• 2006–2007 – Manager of Almería
• 2008–2012 – Manager of Valencia
• 2012–2013 – Manager of Spartak Moscow (brief)
• 2013–2016 – Manager of Sevilla – wins 3 Europa Leagues
• 2016–2018 – Manager of PSG – wins domestic treble
• 2018–2019 – Manager of Arsenal – sacked November 2019
• 2020–2022 – Manager of Villarreal – wins Europa League 2021
• 2022–present – Manager of Aston Villa
• 2025 – Tielemans shove incident

Key quotes on the Tielemans incident

“He’s my son. He’s my son.”

— Unai Emery after the shove, as reported by ESPN (sports news)

“Emery refused to shake Tielemans’ hand before shoving him as he walked back to the bench.”

— Match report from India Today (Indian news outlet)

The pattern and the consequence

Unai Emery’s career is a cycle of redemption. Each failure — Arsenal, PSG’s Ligue 1 runner-up finish, the short Spartak Moscow stint — has been followed by a deeper run into European glory. The Tielemans shove fits the same arc: a flash of intensity, a public apology, and a hug that sealed the bond. For Aston Villa, the choice is clear: embrace Emery’s high‑pression passion, or risk the same friction that derailed his previous posts. The trophy count says one thing; the touchline moments say another. For Villa’s owners, extending his contract until 2029 was a bet on the former.

Frequently asked questions