Unai Emery has emerged as the new frontrunner to become the next permanent Real Madrid manager. The club are reportedly impressed with his work at Aston Villa where he's transformed Premier League side into European contenders.
According to Sky Sports Germany's Patrick Berger, Madrid have been in contact with Emery and he is on the managerial shortlist as a candidate this summer. A decision will be made at the end of the season regarding Alvaro Arbeloa who is in charge on a caretaker basis.
⚪️ Unai Emery (54/🇪🇸) is on Real Madrid‘s shortlist for summer - confirmed. Initial contact has already been made.
— Patrick Berger (@berger_pj) January 29, 2026
The Spaniard is doing a fantastic job at Aston Villa, his work has impressed several people inside @realmadrid. Emery is under contract until 2029 at #AVFC.…
Emery has been in charge of the Villans since November 2022 and achieved qualification for Champions League for the first time in the club's history. The Spaniard has a proven resume of building teams into major players domestically and in Europe but there are three reasons he wouldn't suit Madrid.
Unai Emery isn't the solution for Real Madrid
There's no doubt Emery is one of the best managers in Europe given his track record of success. He is a four-time Europa League winner, winning the trophy three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal.
The Spaniard also won his first league title during his time in charge of Paris Saint-Germain. He has propelled Villa into an unlikely Premier League title race this season.
But Emery's spells at PSG and Arsenal explain why he doesn't fit the Madrid role and that's because he hasn't been able to handle big pressure enviroments. If Madrid were to endure worrying form he could cater to outside noise.
The main concern is that the 54-year-old often wants to have control. That includes tactically and the club's operations as well as in the transfer market.
Emery has worked alongside a sporting director wherever he's been a success. He partnered up with Monchi at Sevilla and Villa and when their relationship soured earlier this season he got his wish of a separation and Roberto Olabe.
While Santiago Solari currently serves as director of football at the Bernabeu it's clear that major decisions come from Florentino Perez and the board. There is also the issue of player power which Emery has already struggled to deal with following his time coaching Angel Di Maria and Edinson Cavani at PSG.
Real Madrid have shown why Emery wouldn't work
Xabi Alonso's short-lived reign at Madrid is a perfect example of why Emery wouldn't fit the mold of a Los Blancos boss. The Spaniard only lasted seven months and his tenure was full of drama with rumors of issues between himself and Vinicius Junior.
If Emery were to encounter a similar problem it's clear the club would side with a player of Vinicius' status. Villa and Sevilla are clubs that are ideal for the Spanish tactician because he calls the shots and isn't influenced by those above.
David Ornstein perfectly explained why Alonso didn't work out shortly after he was dismissed:
"How on earth a coach like Alonso is going to come in and succeed,? Not necessarily the Galactico but a team that is run by individuals and off-the-cuff quality as opposed to necessarily adhering to plans and structure, and that's exactly what Alonso brings with him. He's going to need control over that group and that's something you don't get at Real Madrid."
The same situation would occur under Emery as he wouldn't be given free reign to make crucial decisions. Unless Perez changes the club's structure moving forward it would be another Alonso-like tenure.