Rival fans are in agreement with Aston Villa supporters after Unai Emery was snubbed for the Premier League Manager of the Season award.
What a season it was for Aston Villa who secured a fourth-place finish and a ticket to the 2024/25 Champions League, recording their best-ever points tally in the Premier League.
Unai Emery took charge of the squad from Steven Gerrard in October 2022, accepting the challenge as the Midlands club sat in 16th place, eventually ending the season in seventh.
The 2023/24 campaign was a remarkable feat for the Spaniard and his players, who improved once more to ensure Villa returned to the Champions League however, the manager’s achievements weren’t celebrated as much as some would have hoped.
On Tuesday, it was announced that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola had been crowned the Premier League’s Manager of the Season, beating Emery, Mikel Arteta, Jurgen Klopp and Andoni Iraola to the prize.
As expected, fans weren’t happy with the verdict, with not only Villa supporters sharing their displeasure about Emery missing out on the award, as followers of rival clubs stormed to social media to react…
Premier League fans react to Unai Emery snub for Manager of the Season
For taking Villa from seventh to fourth place in his first full season at the club, fans were confused as to why Emery had fallen short of Guardiola in the running for Manager of the Season.
The City boss had a rightful claim to the award after winning the Premier League, however, Tottenham fan @RDP9210 insisted that the prize ‘shouldn’t go to just whoever won the league this year. Emery deserved it way more.’
As expected, Villa fans agreed with such opinions, as supporter @larterlia1874 said, ‘What a joke it should be Unai Emery all day long. I could win manager of the year with that City team! It’s ridiculous.’
While Guardiola’s work to deliver City their sixth title in seven years must not be overlooked, Emery exceeded expectations in driving Villa to the Champions League in his first full season in the Midlands.
Premier League follower @hoffsports said in reaction to Guardiola winning the award, ‘Why? Arguably a worse season than last. Emery and Villa exceeded expectations by miles.’
Liverpool supporter @Corballyred agreed that Emery had pushed the boundaries at Villa over the 2023/24 campaign, warranting the prize more than the City boss by saying:
‘What Emery did was far more impressive. Guardiola bench alone most weeks was worth more than most sides starting 11s. He did the bare minimum what you’d expect with that squad.’
Even Manchester City fans joined the debate in support of Emery, with @city_bible sharing their verdict, ‘Happy but I would’ve given it to Emery.’
The consensus is that Emery was perhaps more deserving of the award than Guardiola, who was almost expected to win the Premier League with City, given the size, quality and depth of the squad he has led since 2016.
Manchester United supporter @ennie_05 went as far as saying, ‘Emery robbed’, a view shared by Fulham fan @FulhamTransfer who said, ‘Should be Emery and you know it’.
Unai Emery deserved to be awarded Manager of the Season
The snub for the Manager of the Season award will not overcast the remarkable achievements of Emery’s 2023/24 campaign with Villa however, the Spaniard should feel disgruntled at not winning the award.
Due to the squad’s successes over the year, it goes somewhat under the radar that the manager lost three of his favoured XI to season-ending ACL injuries, along with having his adaptability tested throughout as less severe absences were recorded.
From the start of the campaign to the end, Emery never had a fully fit squad to field, making his achievements even more admirable, and his snub even more of an insult to supporters of Villa and other Premier League clubs.
The most important thing is that Villa are back where they belong thanks to the former Arsenal boss’ hard work over his time at the club so far, with next season set to bring even more excitement.
