Transfer Centre

Unai Emery open to Premier League return

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 01 May 2020

Former Arsenal manager admits he would be open to a return to the Premier League, but is more likely to manage in his native Spain.

Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery has confirmed that he would be open to a return to the Premier League in the future.

The Spaniard succeeded Arsene Wenger in the Emirates dugout in 2018, but lasted less than two years before being sacked in November following a poor run of form.

The 48-year-old was linked with a switch to Everton before Carlo Ancelotti arrived on Merseyside, but Emery has admitted that he would be more likely to manage in his native Spain rather than in the Premier League.

"I am open to coaching. In Spain, in England, in Italy, in France, elsewhere, but if you ask me where I think I will be, I think I will be closer to the Spanish league," Emery told Eurosport's Confinados.

"After four years if I have a good chance to return to Spain and I feel like it, I want to face it.

"The first objective is to return next season, but if I can't find anything that fits what I hope for or reaches my heart, I will wait.

"Everton was interested in me and I thought about it. I didn't say no, we also had a three-hour interview."

Emery won 43 of his 78 games as Arsenal manager, leading the Gunners to the Europa League final last season.