One of the most successful managers in European football for the past five years, Unai Emery, has announced his departure from PSG – possibly paving the way for Arsene Wenger to take the Parisian hot-seat…
The Basque Country native led Sevilla to three straight Europa League triumphs from 2014 to 2016 before joining the cash-rich Paris Saint-Germain. Emery was the man at the helm as PSG’s four years of dominance came to an end last season with Monaco pipping them to the league, but he has helped the club regain the crown this season.
Under Emery, the Parisians also made unwanted history by becoming the first team in the history of the Champions League to be eliminated in the knockout stages after winning the first leg 4-0 then losing 6-1 away to Barcelona in the round of 16 last season. This year, PSG failed to reach the quarter-finals again, losing to defending champions Real Madrid 5-2 on aggregate, suffering defeat both home and away in the process. They have won Ligue 1, the French League Cup and reached the French Cup final.
PSG: Unai Emery's PSG side are the only team to have scored more than 100 league goals in Europe's top 5 leagues this season, netting 104 times so far this term
For more PSG stats — https://t.co/FpD6vlrgjN pic.twitter.com/U9bnqfxBZ5
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) April 27, 2018
Arsene Wenger, on the other hand, announced his departure from Arsenal a week before Emery. The 68-year old has no plans to retire as he is looking for a new club after almost 22 years at Arsenal. Unai Emery paid tribute to Wenger after the Frenchman announced his decision to leave Arsenal.
“Each year, a dozen or so of us meet in Nyon,” Emery said. “Arsene is a reference to any coach — everybody listens to what he has to say.”
“Arsene has done a wonderful job with Arsenal. He complimented me a few weeks ago – he is somebody that I admire as a person and as a coach.”
“Arsene has the quality and experience to lead the best sides in the world, such as PSG.”
Reportedly, the outgoing Arsenal boss has an offer on the table from Paris Saint-Germain but it is not to become the new head coach. The offer is to become their general manager – while a Chinese club is willing to make him the highest-paid manager in the world.
The Chinese offer would exceed the £24 million per year Marcello Lippi currently makes as head of the Chinese national team. The Chinese Super League already contains a few high-profile managers from Europe making tons of money, including Fabio Cannavaro, Manuel Pellegrini, and Paulo Bento.
Paris Saint-Germain’s offer, on the other hand, may be looking to utilise Wenger, in his role as general manager, as a bridge between potential incoming boss Thomas Tuchel and club owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi.