Last Updated: April 8, 2026 | 08:05 BST
Unai Emery and Aston Villa are seemingly entering a crucial summer, where there could be a change in guard at one of the most settled managerial seats in England. Since replacing Steven Gerrard at Villa Park in November 2022, Emery has helped transform the Villans from potential relegation candidates to a club that’s now regularly competing for European football. He took the 1982 European Cup winners back to the Champions League a couple of years ago, and currently has them fighting for that once more in the Premier League this season. However, Emery’s impressive management at Villa has led to him being eyed up by other clubs. As such, there’ll no doubt be someone tasked by NSWE to keep tabs on potential replacements should an approach be made in the coming months.
| AVFC Candidate | Current Status | Likelihood |
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Andoni Iraola seems like an obvious replacement for Emery should the Aston Villa manager leave his post. The 43-year-old’s contract at Bournemouth expires this summer, but he’s recently said that he wants his situation to be resolved “sooner rather than later”. Tottenham were linked with Iraola before they hired Roberto De Zerbi, while there’s also been speculation about a move to Manchester United and Crystal Palace. Due to the impressive job he’s done on the south coast, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Aston Villa make a move for Iraola if Emery heads elsewhere. Ex-Man United boss Ruben Amorim and former Villa defender Sir Gareth Southgate, who’s been out of work since leaving England in 2024, are also potential contenders. Emery’s future may be defined by whether he can lead Villa to Europa League glory, with a trophy the most glaring omission from his excellent time at Villa Park. Ultimately, the club needs to show they can match his ambitions otherwise it would not be a complete shock to see him seek pastures new.
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