Unai Emery has been accused of leaving Villareal 'a bit screwed' after ditching the LaLiga side to become Aston Villa's new manager.
Villa paid out the £5.3million clause to release Emery from his contract in Spain and now the former Arsenal boss will officially start work at Villa Park on November 1 - once he has finalised a work permit.
Ahead of his tenure officially starting with the midlands side, his former club president Fernando Roig has taken aim at Emery for putting the club 'on the back foot'.
Speaking at a press conference, Roig said: 'There has been the termination of Unai's contract on his part. He has fulfilled his contract and therefore we thank him for his effort, his professionalism and his work.
'We have had a great relationship and for that we thank him for his efforts, we understand that he is a professional and therefore he has decided to accept another offer. An option that comes to him because of his work, which is honors. We finished well, but he catches us on the wrong foot in a rare season.
'We appreciate your work, but it is true that it leaves us on the back foot. We wish you the best, it leaves us a bit screwed, but those of us who are here are going to move on. We thank you and we wish you the best.'
The 50-year-old had been in charge of Villareal for two seasons and quickly took them to their first European final - where they beat Man United on penalties in the Europa League final.
Emery also spoke at the press conference and reiterated his excitement at taking charge of the Premier League side.
He said: 'I've had two and a half very nice years here. I've felt at home at heart, but I carry the profession inside me.
'Now I have a new opportunity, just like when I came here. I thought I should take it as a different sporting challenge.
'It is a personal and professional decision. I left home at the age of 24 and opened myself up to the professional world of football with all the consequences.'
It'll be Emery's first management back in England since his tenure in charge of Arsenal between 2018-19.
Ahead of their Saudi-led takeover, Emery was offered the management position at Newcastle United but turned it down claiming that the club did not have a 'clear vision'.
Caretaker-boss Aaron Danks will again be in charge for Saturday's game at Newcastle while Emery waits for his 'work permit formalities' to be completed.
