Emery, after lifting the Europa League trophy, thanked Aston Villa’s owners, fans, and players, promising more success to come.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery, on Wednesday reached a new milestone in his coaching career after his team defeated Freiburg 3-0 to win the UEFA Europa League (UEL) final.
On Wednesday night in Istanbul, Turkey, goals from Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendía, and Morgan Rogers gave the Premier League outfit victory against Bundesliga club, Freiburg.
The feat means Emery has become the first coach to win the Europa League with three different teams.
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The Spanish tactician previously won the competition three times with Sevilla, once with Villarreal, and now with Aston Villa.
Apart from this, the victory means no other manager has won more major European finals than Emery, who is now level with coaching greats Carlo Ancelotti, José Mourinho, and Giovanni Trapattoni.
Speaking after lifting the piece of silverware, Emery thanked the club’s owners, fans, and his players, promising further success in the future.
He said: “I am thankful to [co-owners] Nassef [Sawiris] and Wes [Edens]… they are always supporting. I am thankful to the supporters and I am thankful for the players.”
The former Arsenal gaffer added: “After 1982 when the club won the European Cup, a trophy was something the supporters were missing. Achieving this one makes us so, so happy, but we are not going to stop.”
