Over the past 17 years, since leaving Almeria, Unai Emery has won 4 European championships. Not to the point of being as magnificent as Zinedine Zidane, Carlo Ancelotti or Pep Guardiola - the great men in the Champions League. However, if choosing a solid position in the coaching world in the old continent, Emery always has the highest position.
Last season was his greatest success in the English arena when he helped Aston Villa win a ticket to the Champions League for the first time. A mid-level team, in the history of the tournament only worried about relegation, but now has broken the monopoly of the Big Six. In fact, theillians promise to maintain their position in the competition for many more years.
"For players, sometimes just giving them confidence is enough. I always want to send them a message of trust and always be ready for all situations.
Players need to enjoy the feeling of comfort in the tactical diagram, especially having confidence in the position they are playing, having to feel trusted by the coach. Football is not just tactical calculations, it needs more than that" - Unai Emery recalled his early days with Almeria.
Later when he moved to Valencia, Emery showed another aspect that helped him become more special and talented over time. Many tactical practice videos that have been "dug up" show that the Spanish strategist is always very meticulous, dedicated and disciplined by each player.
"When managing players, you need to understand what they are thinking. Try to grasp their emotions, get closer, and support them more in life and work" - Emery shared.
When he was a player, Emery shared that he did not have the habit of reading books. The Spaniard recounted that it was not until he became a coach, especially during his time at Mestalla, that he had that habit. Reading helps Emery know more things off the pitch and apply them to work.
"When I was a player, I didn't read books. When I became a coach, everything gradually changed. That helped me and gave me a lot of life experience. Through that, I can apply it to help the players.
Reading books helps me find balance in life. When participating in a competitive tournament, always haunted by continuous wins and losses, thanks to reading, I can keep my emotions calm to face fans and the media.
In Valencia, I bought books to give to the players. Hopefully in the near future, I will do that at this club" - Emery shared.
Aston Villa's schedule this season will be very heavy as they have to stretch themselves in 4 arenas, especially the Premier League and Champions League. The team will need to develop all the players they have and everyone must try their best. For Emery, this may be a big obstacle at first, but the 52-year-old coach is very excited.
"I like playing a lot of games. I like to enjoy the atmosphere of many different arenas, like to compete so fiercely. The team will face a very tight schedule and we need to know how to arrange.
The players must always be full of energy. I also have to improve myself to be more productive, so that the whole team can stand firm in many different tournaments. I will demand a lot from them, the only way is to work really hard.
We are temporarily replacing some clubs with more money than Aston Villa. I always believe this team can do that in the long term" - Emery shared.
