Newcastle reeling after Emery U-turn
Howe back in frame to be new boss
NEWCASTLE United’s owners were left reeling yesterday after Unai Emery pulled out of a move to become their new manager, with Eddie Howe now back in the frame.
The Magpies had expected to appoint the former Arsenal boss before Saturday’s trip to Brighton after positive talks via Zoom earlier this week. His representatives also held face-to-face discussions.
But Emery has decided to stay with Villarreal, having previously indicated a willingness to take over at St James’ Park.
It means Amanda Staveley, her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi and the club’s Saudi-led consortium will return to the drawing board in their search for Steve Bruce’s replacement, two weeks on from his sacking.
Howe (right), it is thought, interviewed well when the owners spoke to him, and his appointment would be welcomed by some of his former Bournemouth players in the Newcastle dressing room.
There was a concern given his last job saw the Cherries relegated from the Premier League two seasons ago, but he fits the bill in terms of his coaching credentials and communication skills.
Roberto Martinez, Paulo Fonseca and Lucien Favre were also spoken to, but Emery emerged as the clear preferred candidate over the weekend.
Newcastle’s new regime was convinced he was the right man to lead the team to safety, but there is also a feeling they must now move on and that Emery has passed up a wonderful opportunity.
A source close to the process said: ‘Amanda and Mehrdad could not have done more to satisfy Emery’s wishes — they pulled out all the stops. They made him a fantastic offer. For him to then pull out was a surprise. In the end, he just wasn’t for leaving. No one could have got it over the line. He had a change of heart and there was nothing Newcastle could do.’
Graeme Jones is likely to stay in interim charge for the Brighton game.
Reports in Spain yesterday said Emery had reservations about the structure of the club, with a new sporting director yet to be appointed. However, he knew all about plans to improve the structure during his interview. He was also unsettled when news broke of his move in the hours before Villarreal’s Champions
League tie with Young Boys. Sources in Spain say Emery had his head turned by the money and ambition at Newcastle, but that he then felt the warmth of Villarreal’s hierarchy and their fans amid talk of his exit. Those sources believe he has decided to stay in an environment in which he is comfortable, and that a lot of what has been claimed on his behalf are excuses.
Villarreal stressed their commitment to Emery in conversations with chief executive Fernando Roig on Tuesday, during a post-match debrief and then in the early hours as Emery drove home. It was only then he confirmed he would stay. Tuesday’s 2-0 win at home to Young Boys, putting the team on track to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League, also contributed to his decision.
Emery said yesterday: ‘I want to continue being part of this project because of the commitment and respect I perceive from the club and my players.’