Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has spoken about how ‘big egos’ has possibly played a part in Unai Emery’s previous struggles, as he told CBS Sports (13/04/22 at 7:10 pm).
The legendary striker was talking about the jobs ex-Arsenal boss, Emery, and former Everton manager, Carlo Ancelotti, have done in Spain.
Villarreal recently beat Bayern Munich to set up a semi-final Champions League showdown with Liverpool, whilst the competition’s most successful team, Real Madrid, will play Manchester City.
But, when Ancelotti was at Everton, things didn’t go as planned for the Italian and the same can be said for Emery in north London.
At first, Jamie Carragher touched up things not working out for Emery in the Premier League, before Henry shared his thoughts.
“He’s been to PSG, he’s been to Arsenal and it didn’t quite work for him,” said Carragher. “But he has done brilliantly at Villarreal. Done brilliantly at Sevilla. He did really well at Valencia.
“That’s what suits him. Carlo Ancelotti didn’t do particularly well at Everton, but with all the giants, where he has all the superstar players, he excels at and certain managers are suited to certain jobs.”
Henry added: “You have a lot of managers when you give them big egos and they like to set up a team in a certain way and you have to be disciplined about it, then it won’t work.
“Then, when they are at a club where the level is a tiny bit lower, the players do believe in what they say. Suddenly, it gives them that tactical advantage in order for them to perform.”
Whilst Arsenal desperately try to make a return to the Champions League, their former manager will be hoping to create another upset and more history.
The last time Villarreal reached the semi-finals of the Champions League was against Arsenal themselves in 2006.
They suffered late, late heartache on that day and they will be hoping to defy the odds against free-scoring Liverpool in a few weeks.
Whilst the Reds will still be favourites, at the end of the day, crazier things have happened and Emery is a genius when it comes to cup competitions.
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