Five Europa League titles with three different clubs have made him the most successful manager in the history of the competition, but there is another continental tournament that seems determined to show him the other side of football.

Aston Villa’s 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup extended a statistic that is hard to ignore: every time Emery has reached this match, he has ended up watching the opposition lift the trophy.

Real Madrid started a story that is still ongoing

The first opportunity came in 2014, after Emery won his first Europa League title with Sevilla.

The Andalusian side faced Real Madrid in Cardiff, the reigning Champions League holders, and suffered a 2-0 defeat. That loss marked the beginning of an unfinished chapter that, more than a decade later, remains open.

Sevilla would win the Europa League again the following year, immediately giving their manager another opportunity.

Another unforgettable final slipped away

In 2015, Emery returned to the Super Cup with Sevilla. This time, Barcelona were the opponents, and the final became one of the most spectacular matches in the tournament’s recent history.

The Andalusian side recovered from a 4-1 deficit to force extra time, but Barcelona eventually won 5-4, once again leaving the Spanish coach without the trophy.

Although Sevilla also won the Europa League in 2016, Emery later left the club and that Super Cup was managed by Jorge Sampaoli.

Villarreal could not break the barrier either

Six years had to pass before Emery once again had the trophy within reach.

After winning the 2021 Europa League with Villarreal, the manager reached his third Super Cup. Chelsea were waiting on the other side.

The match finished 1-1 after extra time and had to be decided from the penalty spot. The English side eventually prevailed 6-5, once again leaving Emery just short of the title.

Aston Villa gave him another opportunity

Emery’s extraordinary relationship with the Europa League opened the door for him once again in 2026.

That brought him to Salzburg to face Luis Enrique’s PSG, the reigning Champions League winners.

Villa managed to compete and remain in contention, but goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué ultimately gave the Parisian side a 2-1 victory. Brian Madjo scored the English club’s goal.

A contrast that is difficult to explain

Unai Emery has won the Europa League five times, but has lost all four UEFA Super Cups he has contested as a manager.

2014 — Sevilla 0-2 Real Madrid
2015 — Sevilla 4-5 Barcelona
2021 — Villarreal 1-1 Chelsea (5-6 on penalties)
2026 — Aston Villa 1-2 PSG

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and PSG. Four different opponents, four different opportunities, but the same outcome.