’He is real’: Tim Sherwood hails £118k-a-week man at PL rival after he turned down Newcastle
Tim Sherwood has praised Unai Emery for the job he is doing at Aston Villa after turning down Newcastle United.
Prior to Aston Villa bringing in the former Arsenal boss just over 12 months ago, Unai Emery had the chance to become Newcastle United manager under their new Saudi-backed ownership.
But, instead, he opted to stay at Villarreal, with Tim Sherwood adding that, whilst he ‘turned that one down’, it has proven to be a good fit for the thriving Aston Villa boss and Eddie Howe, as he told Soccer Special on Sky Sports (28/10/23 at 12:50 pm).
On Sunday, Villa beat newly-promoted Luton Town 3-1 to secure a 12th straight win in the Premier League on home soil.
Those three points, and Newcastle’s dropped points at Wolves, meant that the Midlands side opened up a five-point lead on Eddie Howe’s sixth-placed side.
The Magpies are already in the Champions League, with Villa hoping to reach that level this season, as they have made quite the start to the season to reach that goal.
Unai Emery at Aston Villa
“He has done a brilliant job,” said Sherwood. “In a short space of time as well. I think he has the trust from the owners to give him the money to spend and why wouldn’t you?
“The guy is a real manager. He has been around. He has done his apprenticeship. He could have gone to Newcastle and choose not to.
“I think it has been a good fit for Eddie Howe and for Unai Emery to turn that one down. He probably wouldn’t change it.”
Villa and Newcastle have benefited
It’s a blessing in disguise. Newcastle fans will love the fact that Emery didn’t join, not because they don’t rate the £118k-a-week man (Wage Indicator) as a manager, but because of the job Howe has done.
Those at Villa Park will be saying the same thing, with the duo disrupting those at the top and trying to send out the message that they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
If fifth spot becomes a Champions League place at the end of the season, then there is every chance that both teams will compete with Europe’s elite next season.
And that would be some sight to see two of England’s best-supported clubs descend on Europe to cause nothing but chaos.
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