Real Madrid have made initial contact regarding Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, according to reports from Spain.
Spanish journalist Ramón Álvarez de Mon has revealed that the La Liga club have reached out in recent days to assess the situation around the Villa boss. The contact is understood to be exploratory, with no formal move made at this stage.
Emery is believed to be one of the leading candidates should Real Madrid decide to make another managerial change at the end of the season. While no decision has been taken, his name is now firmly on the club’s shortlist.
Real Madrid only appointed Xabi Alonso as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor in June, but earlier this month the club decided to part ways with him after a mixed campaign. Alonso won 20 of his 28 matches in charge before being dismissed.
Following his departure, former defender Álvaro Arbeloa was promoted to first-team manager. Under his leadership, Real Madrid have won three matches and lost two. Their most recent result was a 4–2 defeat to Benfica in the Champions League group stage, a loss that saw Madrid finish ninth in the table and miss out on automatic qualification for the last 16.
Emery’s situation has attracted attention due to his strong work at Aston Villa. He joined the Premier League side in October 2022 after Villa activated a €6 million release clause to bring him in from Villarreal. He is currently under contract at Villa Park until 2029.
There have been mixed reports in Spain over whether Emery has a release clause in his current deal and what conditions would apply if a major club approached Aston Villa.
Earlier this season, Villa director Damià Vidagany suggested that Emery had not received full recognition in Spain because he had never managed Real Madrid or Barcelona. With Madrid now making contact, that perception could soon change.
The report does not confirm whether Emery would be willing to leave Aston Villa, but in Spain there is a widespread belief that managing Real Madrid is considered one of the biggest opportunities in world football.
For now, Emery remains focused on his role at Villa, while Real Madrid continue to assess their long-term plans.
