Liverpool have been dealt yet another blow in their search for a new manager with one of the top candidates signing a new contract with his current club.
Back in January Jurgen Klopp made the shock announcement that he will step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season.
Since then the Premier League side have been on the hunt for a new boss, but so far the search has proved unsuccessful.
Former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso was the heavy favourite to take charge, but the Spaniard has committed his future to current club Bayer Leverkusen.
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Now another candidate can be ruled out of the running.
As reported by The Athletic, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has agreed to extend his contract with the club until 2027.
Emery was hired in 2022 following the sacking of Steven Gerrard, with Villa languishing in 16th place in the table.
This term the Birmingham club have been the surprise package of the Premier League, and are currently fourth in the table as they chase Champions League football.
Emery has also led Villa to the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League as they look to win a trophy for the first time since 1996.
Emery guided Sevilla to Europa League titles in 2014, 2015 and 2016, before winning the competition with Villarreal in 2022.
The Spaniard has been linked with several clubs in recent months, but is understood to be extremely happy at Villa Park and intends to discuss extending his deal further over the summer.
According to The Athletic, the club's owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens are certain Emery can become their version of legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
He has previously managed Sevilla, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Villarreal.
Topics: Liverpool, Unai Emery, Aston Villa, Premier League, Jurgen Klopp, Football
Alex Brotherton