Paris Saint-Germain appoint former Sevilla manager Unai Emery to replace Laurent Blanc on two-year deal

Unai Emery, who guided Spanish club Sevilla to its third straight Europa League title last month, has been named as the new coach of Paris Saint-Germain.

The French champions said in a statement on Tuesday that Emery has signed a two-year deal, with the option for an extra year.

The 44-year-old Spaniard replaces Laurent Blanc at PSG.

Unai Emery has been appointed as the new manager of Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year deal

Emery won three-straight Europa League titles during his time with Spanish side Sevilla

 

'It's with great pride that I have accepted the task of coaching Paris Saint-Germain,' Emery said.

'This club has become one of the most powerful in Europe over the last few seasons.'

Blanc was fired on Monday, only months after he signed a new two-year contract.

Despite leading PSG to back-to-back domestic trebles - an unprecedented level of success in the French league - Blanc fell short in Europe, failing to get beyond the quarter-finals of the Champions League during his three seasons in charge.

President Nasser Al-Khelaifi expects Emery to play 'spectacular' football after taking over in Paris

Former France boss Laurent Blanc was fired as manager at Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week

'I am very happy to welcome Unai Emery as new coach of Paris Saint Germain,' PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said. 'Unai will bring all of his experience, passion and qualities in terms of his coaching and on a human level.'

A former midfielder with Real Sociedad, Emery coached Valencia from 2008-2012 before taking charge of Sevilla in 2013, following a brief spell at Spartak Moscow.

Emery will take 'an active role in the recruitment campaign' - PSG said - as the club looks to strengthen its team following the departure of star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Emery takes over a PSG squad which no longer includes Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who left at the end of the season

Blanc's future looked in doubt when Al-Khelaifi gave an interview to newspaper Le Parisien last month, saying changes would be made before next season.

Without naming Blanc his demise appeared likely.

When the club's Qatari owners took charge in June 2011, they made winning the Champions League their priority.

Emery's new club has won the French Ligue 1 title in each of the last four seasons

In his interview, Al-Khelaifi said he sensed the players were going to lose the quarterfinal return leg against Manchester City in April because they lacked motivation.

He also spoke in glowing terms about the extreme commitment shown by players from Atletico Madrid - coached by Diego Simeone - in the Champions League final against Real Madrid; and also by Unai's Sevilla team when it rallied to beat Liverpool 3-1 to win the Europa League for a third straight season.

'(Emery) has a proven talent to get the best out of a team,' Al-Khelaifi said. 'I'm convinced our fans will enjoy the spectacular football our team will play.'

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