Unai Emery - the former Arsenal manager - is primed for a return to management with Spanish club Villarreal, reports claim.
The former Paris Saint-Germain boss, who was in charge at the Emirates Stadium for not much more than a year, has been out-of-work since being sacked by the Gunners last November following a dismal run of form.
Now, nearly nine months on from his exit from the North London club, Emery, 48, is eager to get back into the cut and thrust of football management, with La Liga club Villarreal keen on hiring him.
Current Villarreal boss Javier Calleja is poised to leave the club this summer, despite having guided them fifth-placed finish in La Liga this term, leaving the hotseat vacant for Emery to potentially fill.
When asked about his future last week, Calleja said: "I do not talk about my future.
"What happens will be decided by the club. I have a good relationship with the club, and I am grateful for the opportunity Villarreal have given me.
"I will continue to work hard for Villarreal, and let others make the decisions."
Despite the first few months of the 2019/20 campaign turning sour very quickly for Emery at the Emirates Stadium, his first season did feature successes, including a run to the Europa League Final and a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League.
Should Emery land the Villarreal job it would be his eighth club in just 16 years as a manager.
