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Unai Emery: Arsenal to hire former PSG boss as new manager

By Alex Butler
Former Paris Saint-Germain head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Ligue 1 soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and SCO Angers on March 14 in Paris. File Photo by Ian Lansgdon/EPA-EFE
Former Paris Saint-Germain head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Ligue 1 soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and SCO Angers on March 14 in Paris. File Photo by Ian Lansgdon/EPA-EFE

May 21 (UPI) -- Arsenal is set to hire Paris Saint-Germain boss Unai Emery as the team's next manager, replacing Arsene Wenger.

Sources informed the BBC and Sky Sports of the move. The BBC reported that an announcement and a news conference are expected this week. Sources told Sky Sports that Emery became the front-runner for the Gunners job after Mikel Arteta withdrew his name from the running to succeed Wenger.

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Emery, 46, coached Almeria, Valencia, Spartak Moscow and Sevilla, before taking the job at PSG. Wenger coached his last game for the Premier League club on May 13, ending a 22-year run.

PSG tied Caen 0-0 on Saturday. The Parisians capped off their 2018 Ligue 1 title with a 7-1 win against Monaco on April 15.

Emery guided PSG to one Ligue 1 title and four domestic cups in two seasons. He announced in April that he was leaving the French club. His contract expired at the end of the season. Emery was replaced by Thomas Tuchel, who was introduced as the new boss during a news conference on Sunday at the Parc des Princes.

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"It's a great experience to train here in Paris," Emery said in April when he announced his departure from PSG. "I progressed as a coach. My first six months were difficult because I had to adapt to the team and the team to me. We also had to manage the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic."

"From January 2017, the team has always progressed. The elimination against Barcelona was a difficult moment, especially after the first leg which was one of the best matches in Paris during these two years. This year we still have a good season, we have to win the Coupe de France. Elimination in the Champions League has been a disappointment, but Real Madrid has won three of the last four editions and is still in contention to win it. The team is better prepared for the next edition. "

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