---
title: "Emery opens up about having rejected Everton approach"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/emery-opens-up-about-having-rejected-everton-approach/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Elliott Cuff"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2019-12-21T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2019-12-21T07:00:00Z"
---

# Emery opens up about having rejected Everton approach

Former Arsenal manager and reported Everton target Unai Emery has thanked the Toffees for expressing interest in his services.

The Spaniard was sacked from his job at the Emirates earlier this month, shortly before Marco Silva received the same treatment at Goodison Park, with both clubs struggling in the Premier League.

![Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readeverton.com/readeverton/2019/12/1190687468-3.jpg)

Emery, who had previously been a target of Everton’s when he was with Sevilla, was immediately mentioned as a possible target once Silva had left the building, however reports later emerged claiming that the 48-year had rejected the chance to manage on Merseyside.

Everton now look set to appoint Carlo Ancelotti as Silva’s successor, and Emery has explained why he passed on the opportunity to manage the Blues, claiming he wanted to have time off following his Arsenal departure.

[Talking to BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50865120), Emery had this to say on Everton’s interest:

> Now is the time to go home.
>
> To be with my people, to analyse a lot. I’ll spend the next few days close to my family, with my coaches. And I’ve started doing a lot of soul searching.
>
> We all spoke to each other and questioned what we got wrong. There’s been interest from teams but I want to just spend some quiet time and choose the right project.
>
> Different teams have expressed interest. To be honest I want to thank them \[Everton and others\] for wanting me and I told them that I wanted to be quiet, that I need to take a little bit of air. And to choose well the next project after many years of not stopping.
>
> For the moment it is time to rest. That will be good for my mind. To regroup ideas and to analyse mistakes that we may have made. To talk to people around me to ask them what they saw in what I did. I need time for all that. Personally I need to recover energy to start strong the next thing that I will lead.

### Read Everton Verdict

Emery seems like a really decent bloke, so I’m glad he has decided to take the time to recharge. I’m also glad that Everton didn’t up appointing him, as he wouldn’t be the right man for the job in my view.

That being said, he has had enjoyed plenty of success in the past, with three consecutive Europa League wins with Sevilla a huge achievement. However, Carlo Ancelotti is the better option, so I think Everton have won out there.

It is interesting that Emery never specifically mentions Everton by name, so it isn’t really that clear whether Everton actually made contact or to what degree. He could be speaking about clubs in general. Either way, hopefully he finds another job soon and hopefully Ancelotti succeeds with the Blues.