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Name: Unai Emery Etxegoien
Birth Date: 3 November 1971
Birth Place: Hindarribia, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain
Nationality: Spain
Playing Career: 1990-2004
Playing Position: Midfield
Coaching Career: 2004-Present
Win Percentage: Valencia 50.8% - Overall 47.5%
Contract Expires: 30 June 2010 |
Playing Career
Unai came from a family of goalkeepers. His Grandfather was a player for Real Union in the 1920-1930's (Union's golden age) when they won two Copa del Rey's, his Father played for Deportivo la Coruña and Recreativo Huelva, and his Uncle played for CD Logroñés and Real Union. Unai never played in goal though. His position was left midfield.
Real Sociedad
He started his career in the youth ranks of Real Sociedad in 1990. He would play for the reserves from 1990-1995. In the 1995/1996 season, Real Sociedad manager Salva Iriarte called up Emery to the first team, but the Basque midfielder only managed to make five appearances that season. All of his appearances came off the bench, but he did manage to score one goal, which was against Albacete.
CD Toledo
With few chances for playing time appearing at Sociedad, Emery moved to CD Toledo in the summer of 1996. Emery was a reglar starter at the Second Division side, playing in 126 league matches in four seasons, and scoring two goals. When Toledo got relegated to Segunda B at the end of the 1999/2000 season, Emery left for Racing Ferrol.
Racing Ferrol
Racing had just won promotion to Segunda A when Emery signed for the Galician side. Emery played at Racing for two seasons. It was during his time there that he started to work on getting his coaching license.
CD Leganes
Emery would play for Leganes in the 2002/2003 season. He would only stay for one season. He made 28 appearances but failed to find the back of the net.
Lorca Deportiva CF
In the summer of 2003 Emery transferred to Lorca. He would play for 1.5 years with Lorca. In November 2004, manager Quique Yagüe was sacked. Emery, who was sidelined at the time with a serious knee injury, was asked if he would like to manage the team. Emery agreed.
Coaching Career - Lorca Deportiva CF
Emery started his managerial career at the age of 33. Emery had instant success with Lorca. At the end of his first year he had lead Lorca to promotion to Segunda A. The following season was just as impressive. Lorca, who had just been promoted from Segunda B, almost won promotion to la Liga the very next year. Lorca still had a chance of winning promotion to the top flight on the last day of the season, but results didn't go their way and they were forced to stay in Segunda A.
UD Almeria
Emery moved to fellow Segunda A side Almeria for the 2006/2007 season. Emery once again had instant success, winning promotion to la Liga after a second place finish with the Andalucian side.
His first year in la Liga was the second best year in la Liga history for a newly promoted club, as Almeria finished eigth with 52 points.
Valencia CF
On 22 May 2008, Emery signed a two year contract with Valencia. After Valencia's tenth place finish the year before, Emery lead Valencia to sixth. Los Che lead the league for a couple of months at the start of the 2008/2009 season. VCF was in the race for a Champions Legaue spot up until the last couple rounds of the season.
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