Unai Emery: Arsenal sack manager after worst run of results since 1992, with Freddie Ljungberg handed job on temporary basis
Unai Emery has been sacked by Arsenal with the club on their worst run of form in almost three decades.
Not since 1992 have the Gunners gone seven matches without a win, but Thursday’s home defeat by Eintracht Frankfurt means Emery has equalled that disastrous run – with no win since over a month ago.
The Europa League clash saw the Emirates bring in its smallest ever crowd, but even with a limited attendance a chorus of boos and shouts of ‘Emery Out’ were audible throughout the match.
Following the match, Arsenal great Martin Keown called for Emery to be sacked, as his ‘shambles’ would lead to the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
And club chiefs have made the decision to axe the man they chose to succeed legendary coach Arsene Wenger, 18 months after he signed a two-year contract to become Arsenal manager.
A statement published by the club read: “We announce today that the decision has been taken to part company with our head coach Unai Emery and his coaching team.
“Speaking on behalf of the Arsenal board and our owners Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Josh Kroenke said: “Our most sincere thanks go to Unai and his colleagues who were unrelenting in their efforts to get the club back to competing at the level we all expect and demand. We wish Unai and his team nothing but future success.”
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“The decision has been taken due to results and performances not being at the level required.
“We have asked Freddie Ljungberg to take responsibility for the first team as interim head coach. We have full confidence in Freddie to take us forward.
“The search for a new head coach is underway and we will make a further announcement when that process is complete.”
Unai Emery sacked
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Ljungberg, the former Arsenal forward, is promoted to the interim role having been working as part of Emery’s first-team coaching set-up. He joined the senior coaching staff earlier this year, after spending a year as head coach of the club’s Under-23 side.
Arsenal’s struggles this season come following a busy summer which had fans excited for a prosperous season, with Emery smashing the club’s transfer record to buy Nicolas Pepe from Lille.
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However, the Ivory Coast forward has struggled in north London, and his fellow summer signings David Luiz and Dani Ceballos have hardly fared much better.
Kieran Tierney, brought in from Celtic, has hardly even played since joining the Gunners due to injury and fitness issues.
Emery, who famously won three successive Europa Leagues while in charge of Sevilla, joined Arsenal after a two-year spell with Paris Saint-Germain, during which time he claimed seven trophies.
He leaves north London having claimed victory in more than half of his 78 matches in charge, ending his Arsenal career with a 55.1 per cent win ratio.