Unai Emery confirms final decision after receiving offer from Newcastle United

Unai Emery has confirmed he will remain Villarreal manager after rejecting an approach from Newcastle United.

The former Arsenal manager emerged as Newcastle’s preferred candidate to replace Steve Bruce at St James’ Park this week as their the first permanent appointment since the Saudi-backed takeover went through last month.

The Spaniard confirmed he held talks with the Premier League side, who are currently second bottom after 10 games.

And while he says he is ‘thankful’ to be considered for the role in the north east, he insists he is ‘100 percent’ committed to the project at Villarreal.

He said in a statement released on Wednesday: ‘For all the noise there was yesterday in another country, inside the club there was transparency and loyalty with the Roig family and with my squad, which is at its maximum and for me is the most important thing.

“Villarreal CF is my home and I am 100 per cent committed.

‘Honestly, I am grateful for the interest of a great club, but even more grateful to be here and that is why I communicated to Fernando Roig my decision to continue being part of this project, thanks to the commitment and respect that I feel from the club and my players, which is mutual and reciprocal.

“I want to thank the fans for the support they have given me always shown me. On Sunday we have a very important game and I hope we can all together get victory. See you at the Estadio de la Ceramica.”

Former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is thought to be Newcastle’s alternative target.

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