Unai Emery’s move to Newcastle United is in danger of collapse in what would represent a setback for the club’s Saudi Arabian-led owners. Villarreal expect the Spaniard to continue as their manager after he held talks that led the Premier League club to think he was close to succeeding Steve Bruce.
On Wednesday morning Newcastle did not consider their pursuit definitively over but if Emery does turn them down, it would leave Eddie Howe in pole position for the job after the former Bournemouth manager impressed in interviews. Howe has been out of work since leaving Bournemouth in August 2020 after their relegation to the Championship.
It is understood factors that prompted Emery to think again include uncertainty over who will hold the roles of chief executive and director of football. He has also been upset at how news of the proposed move was played out so publicly before Villarreal’s Champions League game against Young Boys on Tuesday, forcing him to address uncomfortable questions before and after the match.
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The former Arsenal manager said after the game: “I have been told of their [Newcastle’s] interest and I pretty much don’t have more news than that. There is no offer, which in any case would have to come via the club. So there’s no more beyond that [which would make] me say I’m going.”
He added: “I do not open or close the door. I am waiting and I would talk to Fernando [Roig, the Villarreal president] and the club, for whom I have respect. My dedication is where I am.”
Newcastle are ready to pay Villarreal about £6m in compensation and had been cautiously optimistic that Emery would be in charge for the trip to Brighton on Saturday.