Villarreal president Fernando Roig admits Unai Emery’s departure to join Aston Villa has left the Spanish club “a bit screwed”.
Emery was confirmed as Villa’s new head coach after the club reportedly paid out the £5.2million clause to release him from his contract which was due to run out next summer. He will officially start work on November 1, once his work permit has been sorted.
Caretaker manager Aaron Danks will be in charge of Villa again against Newcastle United this weekend. Danks led the team to a 4-0 win over Brentford Sunday following the sacking of Steven Gerrard.
Speaking to the media, Roig discussed Emery’s exit, claiming his has put the La Liga club “on the back foot”.
“There has been the termination of Unai’s contract on his part. He has fulfilled his contract and therefore we thank him for his effort, his professionalism and his work,” Roig said, via the Daily Mail.
“We have had a great relationship and for that we thank him for his efforts, we understand that he is a professional and therefore he has decided to accept another offer. An option that comes to him because of his work, which is honours. We finished well, but he catches us on the wrong foot in a rare season.
“We appreciate your work, but it is true that it leaves us on the back foot. We wish you the best, it leaves us a bit screwed, but those of us who are here are going to move on. We thank you and we wish you the best.”
Meanwhile, Emery added : “I’ve had two and a half very nice years here. I’ve felt at home at heart but I carry the profession inside me.
“Now I have a new opportunity, just like when I came here. I thought I should take it as a different sporting challenge. It is a personal and professional decision.
“I left home at the age of 24 and opened myself up to the professional world of football with all the consequences.”
