PSG an elite team thanks to Emery, says club president

The president of Paris Saint-Germain has said departing coach Unai Emery has secured PSG's status as an elite football club.

Emery, 46, announced earlier on Friday that he would be leaving the team when his contract expired in June, reports Efe.

"His immense passion for football and his exceptional work ethic saw the club cement its place amongst the football elite, both in France and internationally," PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said in a note on the club website.

Emery, he said, was "a model of commitment and ambition."

Al-Khelaifi congratulated the Spaniard for his achievements at PSG and wished him success in the future.

In two seasons with Emery in charge, PSG has won the Ligue 1 title once, two Coupes de la Ligue, two Trophees des Champions and one Coupe de France.

PSG will have the chance to win the Coupe de France for the second consecutive year when they face third-division side Les Herbiers in the final on May 8.

Although the club gave no reason for Emery's departure, many suspect that PSG's being eliminated from the Champions League in the round of 16 two years in a row was a major factor.

--IANS

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