Unai Emery boasts an impressive record of five European trophies as a manager.
Imagine Unai Emery, the Aston Villa manager, engaging in online chess matches under his real name against unknown opponents.
This is just one element of the meticulous approach the Aston Villa boss employs to cultivate the mental fortitude necessary for success at the highest echelons of football.
Emery has once again demonstrated his mastery of the Europa League, securing the trophy with Villa’s 3-0 victory over Freiburg on Wednesday, marking the club’s first major silverware in 30 years and his personal fifth triumph in the competition.
The 54-year-old Emery previously led Sevilla to an unprecedented three consecutive Europa League titles from 2014 to 2016, followed by a fourth title with Villarreal in 2021.
Now, after five years, the Spaniard has reclaimed the trophy, joining Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho, and Giovanni Trapattoni as managers with the most major European honors (five).
Here, BBC Sport presents an in-depth profile of the man who steered Villa to their first European trophy since 1982.
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Emery dedicates time to playing quick, three-minute chess games online against anyone through his chess app.
While a Premier League manager using his own name for this might seem unusual, it underscores his belief in constant readiness and vigilance.
Beyond chess, Emery also enjoys watching lectures, even at 2:00 AM.
He is particularly drawn to individuals who offer novel perspectives, including scientists and thinkers, to broaden his understanding of the world.
Another of his late-night activities includes watching football matches of all levels on his iPad.
For instance, he studies teams like Racing Santander, who have recently been promoted to Spain’s top flight, demonstrating that his analysis extends beyond Champions League giants and rivals.
He considers this his form of relaxation.
Despite missing out on Champions League football last season, Emery immediately challenged his players to aim for it this term, emphasizing that it was attainable regardless of other teams’ financial advantages.
His targets included a successful Europa League campaign and securing a Champions League spot, achieving both.
While a five-match winless streak at the beginning of the season was not ideal, Emery successfully instilled confidence in Villa that they would have a successful season.
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Villa fans react to European glory
Emery claims that no one works harder than him, not as a boast, but as a reflection of his approach.
He emphasizes body shape in training, tactics, and physical details, encouraging players to dedicate 70% of their time to football.
He has discussed the influence of his parents and the sense of responsibility they instilled in him.
He is fully committed to everything he does. Achieving a target is both a professional goal and the fulfillment of a personal responsibility.
To sustain this, he has cultivated a strong ability to focus and ignore external distractions.
When Villa faced criticism for resting key players in their home defeat by Tottenham before the Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest, Emery remained unfazed.
He had calculated that the points required to secure Champions League qualification would be obtained elsewhere if necessary, and he was proven correct.
Villa Park also played a significant role, with Emery consistently drawing energy from the supportive home crowd.
What’s next after the season concludes? He intends to visit his hometown of Hondarribia or his preferred vacation spot, Mallorca, to stroll along the coast and spend time with non-football friends.
He will also spend time with his mother, perhaps joining her for her daily swim off the Basque coast, and allow himself to sleep a bit more than usual.
Then, preparations for the next season will commence.
The scale of Emery’s Aston Villa revolution cannot be overstated.
When the Spaniard took over on November 1, 2022, Villa were 16th in the Premier League, just two places and one point above the relegation zone.
They subsequently won 15 of their 25 league matches to finish seventh, earning a spot in European competition for the first time since 2010-11.
In his first full season, Emery secured Champions League football for Villa for the first time since 1982–83. His side also achieved 15 consecutive home league wins, their longest streak in the club’s 151-year history.
Now, with Champions League football secured once more, Villa are champions on the continent for the first time in a generation.
Former Villa midfielder Mark Albrighton told BBC Radio 5 Live that Emery has “taken Villa to the next level”.
He said: “There are going to be times when you have highs and lows, that is the nature of football.
“Villa have experienced some of those lows but now they are on a massive high. Unai Emery was a step up in terms of what they had before.”
Ashley Young, another ex-Villa player, also told Radio 5 Live: “As soon as Unai Emery came in to Aston Villa, the players saw what he had done in his career, saw the Europa Leagues he had won and the clubs he had managed.
“Emery is a born winner, especially in this competition when he has shown it time and time and time again. Put his name up there alongside Ancelotti and Mourinho.
“He’s put this club back into Europe, back into the Champions League. If you had said when we were in 16th position in the Premier League that he would come in and win the Europa League, not one player would think that would be true. He’s just got a way.”
More teams are now adopting Emery’s methods, studying his approach and employing managers who dedicate themselves to extensive film study.
Yet, Emery will undoubtedly continue to push the boundaries, as he consistently does.
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