When Unai Emery gave his first big interview, in May 2020, after losing the Arsenal job, he made no secret of wanting another opportunity in England.
The Spanish coach, who is 50 on Wednesday, told Sportsmail: ‘I learned a lot from the Arsenal job and having that experience in the Premier League.
‘I am continuing to practise and improve my English because that will help me if I return. And if I go back it would be with plenty of enthusiasm because I think it’s a magnificent league.’
Unai Emery still has a fierce intensity about him but is wiser than when he left England
He was without a club at the time and his stock was low after only lasting 18 months at the Emirates.