Soccer News: Arsenal Sack Unai Emery After Europa Loss, Name Temporary In Charge

Arsenal sacked Unai Emery on Friday after the Spaniard was in charge of the team for 18 months.

This move was just around the corner from the English club considering their recent performances across the competitions. They finally took the step following Arsenal's 2-1 home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League, at an embarrassing empty Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal said the decision was "taken due to results and performances not being at the level required."

Despite the poor results, the club's management was seen backing their manager during the international break when they said "he was the right man for the job but things need to improve."

However, a 2-2 draw against Southampton in the Premier League and Europa League loss seemed to have forced the club to take the extreme step in the middle of the ongoing 2019-20 season.

In an official statement, Arsenal board member 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. The decision has been taken due to results and performances not being at the level required."

Arsenal 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 club also has said the search for a new head coach is underway and "we will make a further announcement when that process is complete."

Emery, who previously led Paris St-Germain to the French league title and won three Europa Leagues with Sevilla, was appointed Arsenal's manager in May 2018, succeeding Arsene Wenger.