Exclusive: Adil Rami describes Aston Villa manager Unai Emery as the top coach he has ever worked with in his career.

Sevilla’s coach Unai Emery and French defender Adil Rami held a press conference ahead of the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Sevilla FC and Shakhtar Donetsk. Rami spoke highly of Emery, praising his passion for the game and attention to detail.

Emery has an impressive record, having won the Europa League four times, making him the only manager with more than three titles in its history. This season, he aims to guide Aston Villa to success in the Europa Conference League and secure a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Rami, who played under Emery at Valencia and Sevilla, described him as the best coach of his career. He expressed his admiration for Emery’s passion and wondered how he managed to maintain such intensity. Rami also highlighted Emery’s dedication to his players, showing genuine interest in their personal lives.

The French defender noted that Emery’s focus on details gave his teams an advantage, although he couldn’t explain why it was more effective in European competitions than in domestic leagues. Rami admitted that, at times, he believed he could be a better coach than his managers, but Emery made him reconsider that notion.

Rami revealed that Emery would provide his players with detailed information about their opponents, even knowing the substitutes. He praised Emery’s ability to analyze and prepare for matches. The coach’s attention to detail was evident in his willingness to take responsibility for any mistakes made by his players.

Rami shared an example of Emery’s accountability during the Europa League final against Liverpool. Emery instructed the defenders and midfielders to force Coutinho and Sturridge onto their weaker feet. However, Sturridge scored with his left foot, and Rami was scolded at halftime. Despite this, Rami appreciated Emery’s willingness to take responsibility for the team’s performance.

Emery’s emphasis on detail and his willingness to take responsibility relieved pressure and stress for the players. Rami praised the coach for creating a supportive environment.

As Emery looks to achieve further success in Europe with Aston Villa, fans can watch their clash with Lille, as well as other European football matches, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.