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There's A Petition For The Europa League To Be Renamed 'The Unai Emery Europa League'

There's A Petition For The Europa League To Be Renamed 'The Unai Emery Europa League'

Unai Emery won the Europa League for the fourth time last night, as Villarreal beat Manchester United on penalties.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

A tongue-in-cheek petition has been set up calling for UEFA to rename the Europa League to 'The Unai Emery Europa League'.

The 49-year-old won the competition for the fourth time last night after his Villarreal side beat Manchester United 11-10 on penalties.

It finished 1-1 after 120 minutes of action in Gdansk before an extraordinary penalty shoot-out saw 21 spot-kicks scored consecutively.

It then went to the goalkeepers in sudden death. Geronimo Rulli smashed his in and then saved from David De Gea to give Villarreal their first ever bit of silverware.

Emery's latest triumph follows up his three straight Europa League victories with Sevilla in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Image: PA
Image: PA

And with the Spaniard ruling the roost in Europe's secondary club competition, some reckon UEFA need to name it after him - with one fan Jason Motley creating a petition on Change.Org.

"Unai Emery had another "good ebening" last night, winning the Europa League for the fourth time," the explanation reads.

"His Villarreal side went unbeaten all the way through and edged out Manchester United on penalties in Gdansk.

"He's won the trophy three times with Sevilla and also got Arsenal to the final in 2019.

"With all that being said, it's only right that UEFA act accordingly and change the name of the competition to 'The Unai Emery Europa League'."

"Give the people what they want and do the right thing."

A quick look on social media shows that plenty of folks are in agreement in wanting Emery's Europa League dominance to be commemorated:

Reflecting on getting his hands on the Europa League trophy yet again, Emery hailed his team.

"In the Europa League we have been absolutely impeccable," he said, as per The Guardian.

"Since the very first moment. Some days we were coming at 6am to the stadium to prepare a game for the Sunday. All of this makes the journey [worthwhile].

"We were talking about enjoying these moments. In the end you are proud to reach the title [decider] but if you don't win, you are sad. Winning is another step, an important step ahead. We do this profession for these moments. We have been able to give joy to many people."

UEFA, you know what to do.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Unai Emery, Football, Europa League, Manchester United, Villarreal, Sevilla

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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