Four UEFA Super Cup finals played, lost by Unai Emery

Unai Emery's remarkable success in the UEFA Europa League stands in stark contrast to his struggles in the UEFA Super Cup, a competition where he now holds a perfect losing record. His latest defeat saw Aston Villa go down 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in Salzburg, extending his winless streak in the tournament to four appearances.

This setback occurred just months after Emery led Villa to their first major European trophy since 1982, securing a record-extending fifth Europa League title by defeating Freiburg 3-0. UEFA recognizes Emery as the competition's most successful manager, having won it three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal. However, the Super Cup has consistently proven to be his Achilles' heel.

Emery's Super Cup journey began in 2014 with Sevilla, who lost 2-0 to Real Madrid. The following year, Sevilla suffered another defeat, a dramatic 5-4 loss to Barcelona after extra time. His return to the competition in 2021 with Villarreal ended in a 6-5 penalty shootout loss to Chelsea after a 1-1 draw. The most recent defeat against PSG marks his fourth consecutive loss in the final.

Despite the Super Cup disappointment, Emery's achievements with Aston Villa remain significant. His Europa League triumph ended the club's 30-year wait for silverware and re-established them as a European contender. For Villa, the loss does not diminish the progress made under Emery. However, for the Spanish manager personally, the Super Cup remains the one European trophy that continues to elude him.