Emery will not become Newcastle's new boss, says Villarreal president
Villarreal president Fernando Roig believes Unai Emery will NOT become Newcastle’s next boss because of his ‘professionalism’… as the Magpies accelerate their efforts to poach him before Saturday’s clash with Brighton
- Villarreal chief Fernando Roig believes Unai Emery will be staying put in Spain
- Newcastle United have stepped up their efforts to bring Emery back to England
- Their new Saudi-led regime hope to conclude a deal for Emery in next 48 hours
- However, Roig insists Emery’s ‘professionalism’ will keep him at the Spanish club
Villarreal president Fernando Roig said he believes Unai Emery’s professionalism will keep him at the Spanish club regardless of interest from Newcastle.
Roig fulfilled a prearranged media commitment ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with Young Boys despite Newcastle’s Saudi-led consortium accelerating efforts to poach Emery.
Asked if he was worried about the news that Emery could be joining Newcastle on the day of Villarreal’s Champions League game, Roig said: ‘I don’t think so. He’s a professional and we have two big games coming up. He will be busy preparing the game against Young Boys.
Villarreal president Fernando Roig (right) believes Unai Emery (left) will ignore any Newcastle approach to sign him as their new manager
‘I have absolutely no idea [about any approach]. What I do know is that he has a contract with us and contracts are there to be fulfilled. I have no doubts about Unai’s professionalism.’
Asked by Sportsmail if his apparent calm was born of a faith in Emery’s commitment or in Villarreal’s ability as a club to deal with any eventuality, he said: ‘The important thing is that fans can’t be bought. They don’t go to Newcastle or Manchester United.
‘Loads and loads of players and coaches have been and gone and you’re always prepared for what might come. We fans are always here. What matters is that the feeling for Villarreal remains.’
Roig has been at the helm of the club for a quarter of a century leading them into the first division for the first time ever, into the Champions League, and finally last season, under Emery’s stewardship, to their first trophy.
Emery helped Villarreal win the Europa League after a tough spell previously at Arsenal
He said: ‘We picked Emery, as we pick all our coaches because we believed he would play good football. Winning the Europa League gave us greater visibility. And it put us in the Champions League.’
The side from the east coast of Spain are going well in Europe but have only won two all season in La Liga. Roig added: ‘Now I think we have the best squad in our history. We will turn things around in the league.’
Sportsmail understands that Newcastle expect to have Emery as their new manager before the weekend.
Sources have confirmed that Amanda Staveley and the club’s Saudi-led consortium hope to conclude a deal for the Villarreal boss in the next 48 hours.
Sportsmail reported on October 14 that Emery was on the shortlist to replace Steve Bruce, with a buyout clause in the region of £6million.
It is also understood that talks accelerated during a series of Zoom calls on Sunday, and Staveley believes she has now got her man to lead the team out of the relegation zone.
Amanda Staveley (right) and the club’s Saudi-led consortium hope to conclude a deal in the next 48 hours
Discussions had taken place with several candidates or their representatives since Bruce was sacked a fortnight ago, including the likes of Paulo Fonseca, Eddie Howe and Roberto Martinez.
But Emery, who turns 50 on Wednesday, has emerged as their No 1 target and Newcastle’s new owners are confident of finalising terms before Saturday’s trip to Brighton. A three-year deal has been discussed.
If successful, it will mark a return to the Premier League for the Spaniard two years on from being sacked by Arsenal.
He then took charge of Villarreal in the summer of 2020 and won the Europa League in May, beating Manchester United on penalties.
He previously won the competition in three successive seasons with Sevilla between 2014 and 2016.
Emery guided Villarreal to their first ever trophy after they won the Europa League last season
Emery’s anticipated appointment will represent something of a coup for Staveley, who has led the manager search.
He will be leaving a Champions League team for one in the bottom three of the Premier League, with Newcastle winless in 10 matches.
There are still another 10 games before the January transfer window opens, and the owners are vowing to do what is necessary to keep their club in the top-flight.
Current interim boss Graeme Jones will remain as part of the backroom team, but all other decisions on staff will be left to the new manager.
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