Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterFour Four TwoGet FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You are now subscribedYour newsletter sign-up was successfulWant to add more newsletters?Five times a weekFourFourTwo DailyFantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterAfter crashing out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage and sitting nine points behind bitter rivals Barcelona in La Liga, Real Madrid are heading for a rare trophy-less season.Its been a campaign of upheaval at the Bernabeu after the club saw Carlo Ancelotti depart last summer, to be replaced by former Madrid and Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso. However, after a poor start to the campaign, Alonso was sacked in January and replaced by his former club and country team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa, who was promoted from Madrid's Castilla side. You may like Real Madrid turn to more than willing Jose Mourinho for summer comeback: report Real Madrid head coach reveals one thing Jude Bellingham does 'too much' Liverpool rejection in Xabi Alonso pursuit revealed as parties maintain 'close contact': report Unai Emery linked with Real Madrid postGet VIP Aston Villa tickets HERE with Seat Unique!Aston Villa hospitality elevates the iconic Villa Park atmosphere with premium padded seats and exclusive lounge and restaurant access. Packages typically include fine dining or gourmet options, a complimentary drinks package, and matchday entertainment with Villa legends, plus the official matchday programme, ensuring a luxurious and enhanced matchday experience.View DealBut with Arbeloa overseeing the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich and failing to inspire a resurgence in the league, the Spanish press appear convinced that there will again be a change in the Bernabeu dugout this summer.Spanish outlet Fichajes doubles down on this, claiming that Arbeloas stage seems to be nearing its end and the club are actively working on finding his replacement.They add that several names are being banded around, with Aston Villa boss Unai Emery gaining prominence in recent days and is now a serious option.The report cites Emerys work at Villa as strengthening his reputation in Europe, with his meticulous nature, tactical nous and clear identity all picked up by the Madrid hierarchy.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Despite Emerys list of admirers growing in Madrid, the report adds that former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp remains at the top of the clubs wish list, with the Germans experience and personality making him the clubs ideal option.However, Madrid are said to acknowledge that it will be a challenge to appoint Klopp, as negotiations would be complex, meaning that the club are drawing up an extensive list of high-level alternatives.With this in mind, Emery, who joined Aston Villa in 2022 and was last year ranked at no.9 in FourFourTwo's list of the game's best managers, is seen as a more realistic option, with the club fully aware of how important their next coaching hire is, as they look to appoint a manager who best suits the project.The likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Didier Deschamps have also been linked with the job in recent weeks.In FourFourTwos view, with experience at Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, plus spells in La Liga with Sevilla and Villarreal, Emery would bring plenty of experience to the post, should Madrid move for him.Another box-tick is Emerys experience in European competitions, with the 54-year-old having won the Europa League three times with Sevilla, once with Villarreal and also having reached the final with Arsenal, while he currently has Aston Villa in the semi-finals of this years competition.TOPICSUnai EmeryReal Madrid FCAston VillaPremier LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.
