Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has given his full backing to the appointment of Braulio Vazquez as sporting director of Valencia. The pair are well-acquainted from their time at the club, and Emery views Vazquez's return as a promising development for Valencia.
Emery had travelled to Spain to attend a ceremony honouring Damia Vidagany, Aston Villa's director of football operations and a long-time friend. During his visit, he was asked about the situation at Valencia.
Emery spoke highly of Vazquez's return:
Braulio’s arrival at Valencia is excellent news for the club. He loves Valencia and wants the very best for it. He will dedicate all his knowledge and experience to help the team navigate its current challenges.
The duo previously worked together at Valencia, with Vazquez serving as sporting director from 2009 to 2013, while Emery was manager until 2012.
Emery shared that their connection extends beyond football:
Braulio and I are quite alike: he is Galician but has made his home in Valencia, while I am Basque yet also have ties to the city.
We share a strong friendship. Initially, our children played together at Valencia’s academy, and then we began to work together professionally.
According to Emery, they have maintained their relationship even after parting ways at the club:
Even when our paths diverged, we kept in touch. We would meet in Valencia and discuss football.
Looking ahead, Emery is set to return to another familiar Spanish outfit soon. Aston Villa will face Sevilla in a match for the Antonio Puertas trophy, marking Emery's first return to his former club since leaving for PSG in 2016.
