Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has shared his verdict on Unai Emery after the Aston Villa boss was snubbed for the Manager of the Season award.
For all of Unai Emery’s work at Aston Villa over the 2023/24 campaign, the Spaniard fell short to Pep Guardiola in the race for the Manager of the Season award.
The former Arsenal boss took charge of the Midlands club when Steven Gerrard had driven the squad to 16th in the table, where Emery then revived the side to finish seventh.
To improve on the resurgence of the 2022/23 campaign, the boss then led the Villans to a fourth-place finish, earning a spot in next season’s Champions League.
From combatting injury woes to balancing the gruelling Thursday-Sunday schedule in the Europa Conference League, Emery earned his flowers for Villa’s achievements however, his success was not deemed to merit Manager of the Season status.
Fans of Villa and rival clubs shared their thoughts on Emery’s snub for the prize, with Guardiola himself now giving credit to his countryman for his work at Villa Park over the year.
Pep Guardiola reacts to beating Unai Emery to Premier League Manager of the Season award
On receiving the award for the best manager over the course of the season in the Premier League, Guardiola admitted that he wanted to ‘share’ his prize with the other four managers nominated.
Emery, Mikel Arteta, Andoni Iraola and Jurgen Klopp were also nominated, with the Spaniard reserving a special line for Emery’s ‘unbelievable’ achievements at Villa over the campaign.
“I want to share it, yes, oh yes! Especially with Mikel for the incredible job he has done until the last game, bringing us to our limits.
“Of course, for Jurgen, for the unforgettable battles for many, many years. And Unai Emery, making something unbelievable again to bring Aston Villa to the Champions League.”
The Manchester City boss, who won City’s sixth Premier League title in seven years by two points, went on to say it was an ‘honour’ to be nominated alongside the Liverpool, Villa, Bournemouth and Arsenal managers.
“It is an honour to be alongside all of them and to win this trophy. We will defend this award as best as possible in the future.”
What Unai Emery achieved at Aston Villa in 2023/24
The 2023/24 season was a memorable one for Villa, who not only excelled in the Premier League but endeavoured on an impressive European journey too.
For the first time since 1982, Villa reached the final four of a European competition, losing to Olympiacos in the semi-final of the Europa Conference League.
Back to the Premier League, the Villans secured their highest-ever points tally in the league, securing 68 points from 20 wins, eight draws and 10 losses, as well as seeing Emery become the Villa manager with the highest win percentage in the Premier League era.
For all of the progression happening at Villa and the Champions League campaign to come, Emery won’t be losing sleep over his snub for the Manager of the Season award.
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