Unai Emery extends Aston Villa contract to end Bayern Munich links - with owners 'certain' he can become the club's own version of legendary Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson

Emery, who arrived from Villarreal in October 2022, has made a substantial impact, steering Villa towards potential Champions League qualification and guiding them to the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League. As a result, the Spaniard has seen a rise in his stock with German giants Bayern Munich also vying for his signature after missing out on Julian Nagelsmann.

However, Emery has put an end to speculation by reaffirming his commitment to Aston Villa until 2027. According to The Athletic, the club's ambitious owners, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, are "certain" the Spaniard can be Villa's own version of legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson - who spent over two decades at Old Trafford.

Emery expressed his delight after the announcement on Tuesday, telling Villa's official website: "We are enjoying our way together with Villa fans, the club owners, management and this great group of players that we are proud of. Me and the football management… we share the vision of the owners. Nassef [Sawiris] and Wes [Edens] are very supportive and respectful, and we have a good environment and the right structure to develop this football club. We must maintain the hard-working spirit, clever decisions and coordination with the ownership that we have found during this time. We will work to get better and better. And we will demand from each other. Ambition already is, and must always be, the motto of this project.”

Meanwhile, according to Sky Sports Germany, Ralf Rangnick, a former United interim boss, has emerged as the frontrunner for the Bayern hot seat, which will be vacant after Thomas Tuchel leaves the club at the end of the campaign. The Bavarians are also keen on Brighton & Hove Albion boss Roberto de Zerbi, but the scales are currently tilted towards the current manager of the Austrian national team.

Emery has established himself as a vocal figure in Villa's sporting hierarchy alongside key staff members like Monchi and Damian Vidagany, and has been able to foster an environment conducive to success. Emery will next lead his men against Chelsea on Saturday evening in the Premier League before hosting Olympiacos in the Conference League on May 2.