Premier League manager high on Real Madrid shortlist to become new head coach

Premier League manager high on Real Madrid shortlist to become new head coach

Premier League boss Unai Emery is high on Real Madrid’s shortlist to become their new head coach, according to talkSPORT.

Madrid are expected to part company with Alvaro Arbeloa after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign.

Arbeloa replaced Xabi Alonso at the helm in January, but performances have been poor under the Spaniard.

Los Blancos crashed out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage and they currently sit 11 points behind Barcelona in the La Liga table.

Madrid have been linked with several names to replace Arbeloa, and the latest is Aston Villa coach Emery.

The 54-year-old is under contract at Villa Park until 2029, but he could be tempted by a new challenge in Spain.

Emery has transformed Villa since taking over as manager in October 2022.

The Lions were just two places above the relegation zone at the time of his appointment, but he quickly improved results as they qualified for the Conference League.

Emery achieved Champions League qualification in his second season, and then oversaw their run to the quarter-finals of the competition in 2024-25.

Villa are in a brilliant position to secure a top-five Premier League finish this term, while they could also reach the Europa League final.

Jose Mourinho is another name Madrid are considering for the head coach role.

The club’s president Florentino Perez is said to be the main supporter of bringing the Portuguese back to the Santiago Bernabeu.