Former Barcelona defender says Unai Emery gave him his career

A former Barcelona defender says a positional switch under Unai Emery laid the foundations for the success that followed, including major honours at club and international level.

Speaking on the El Camino de Mario podcast, he recalled being 20 and that David Villa was an idol in Valencia. Emery told him to 'come join the first team'; after preseason he went a while without playing until a Europa League tie against Werder Bremen, when fitness coach Pako Ayestaran told him at halftime, 'You're going in' — 'At full-back.' It was a new position and a surprising moment for him.

He admitted he did not take the change well at first and faced criticism, but said Emery continued to believe in him. 'Without that change of position, I wouldn't have had the career I had,' he said, adding that Emery is 'one of the best coaches in the world' and that he remains grateful for the decision.

unai emery, barcelona, valencia, full back, pako ayestaran, david villa, werder bremen, europa league, positional switch, career change