"He is incredible in Europe" - Michael Owen gives vote of confidence to Liverpool target linked with replacing Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool icon Michael Owen has lavished praise on Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, who has been linked with the imminent vacancy at the Merseyside club.
Jurgen Klopp will step down from the Anfield hot seat in the summer, creating an almost irreplaceable void at the club. A host of names have been named as potential successors to the German master tactician with Sporting CP's Ruben Amorim considered the frontrunner. However, Unai Emery has also been named a candidate for the job.
Michael Owen has singled out the Spaniard for praise and labeled him an 'all-round manager'. The former Liverpool striker has also highlighted Emery's caliber of delivering trophies, especially European silverware. Owen told Premier League Productions, as quoted by Rousing the Kop:
“I think there are so many different ways a manager show their worth. Some managers can only work if they have got a lot of money and they are very good at selecting certain players. Some are brilliant on a shoestring; if you give them money, they are not very good at spending it. Some can improve players. I think this guy certainly can, he has shown that."
The former England striker added:
“Actually it feels like he is an all-round manager. I mean, he can win trophies as well. He has got a career littered with trophies. He is into a semi-final as well of a European competition, and he is incredible in Europe."
Emery has won a total of 11 trophies during his managerial career including four Europa Leagues. His stint at Arsenal was not quite impressive but it was far from a disaster either.
The Spaniard has done an immense job since taking charge at Aston Villa midway through last season. The Villans have made their way to the Europa Conference League this season and currently find themselves fourth in the table.
Liverpool legend highlights Jurgen Klopp's strange behavior on the touchline against Fulham
Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a 3-1 win against Fulham on Sunday, April 21. However, Steve Nicol pointed out that Jurgen Klopp was uncharacteristically calm and subdued during the game.
The former Liverpool full-back said:
“In open play, they’re just not quite as sharp and as good as they’ve been, certainly in the first half of the season. And there’s another thing that stuck out to me – Klopp was very quiet."
Nicol added:
"They go ahead, and then it’s one a piece, and then they come in at half-time, and then the second half starts and it’s kind of more of the same. Yes, they’re on top but they’re really not getting anywhere. And he sat down. I just found it really strange that he wasn’t a lot more demonstrative.”
Liverpool have endured a difficult spell as their title hopes suffered a major blow following a 1-0 loss against Crystal Palace last weekend. They were also knocked out of the Europa League from the quarter-finals by Atalanta, losing the tie 3-1 on aggregate.