Unai Emery ‘unhappy’ with Newcastle as Villarreal boss holds two concerns on switch
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Newcastle have left managerial candidate Unai Emery ‘unhappy’ with their approach to replacing Steve Bruce with the former Arsenal boss harbouring two main concerns over taking charge, according to reports. Emery is understood to have become the Magpies’ preferred choice to fill the vacant position at St James’ Park.
The Premier League side have been without a manager since mutually agreeing to part ways with Bruce a fortnight ago.
The 60-year-old was handed his 1,000th game in management by the club’s new oil-rich owners but that ended in a 3-2 defeat by Tottenham. Supporter unrest reached a boiling point after the match.
Director Amanda Staveley has overseen the recruitment process. Reports on Tuesday suggested that Emery had jumped to the top of a narrowed down two-man shortlist.
The 50-year-old was apparently favoured to former Bournemouth head coach Eddie Howe, who has been out of work since leaving the Cherries in the summer of 2020.
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Villarreal boss Emery took charge of the La Liga side’s Champions League group stage clash with Young Boys on Tuesday evening, with his team winning 2-0.
Now, it is believed that the ex-Paris Saint-Germain manager has been left ‘unhappy’ by Newcastle, in a fresh blow to the Tyneside outfit. According to TalkSPORT, he is frustrated at the timing of the interest on the day of a big game.
He also has two concerns over Newcastle’s recruitment process. The first is that he has not been fully convinced by the direction in which the club’s owners want to take the club. The second is that there is no ‘clear direction’.
Emery and Howe were, according to The Athletic, on a final two-man shortlist. However, both coaches prefer very different styles which points to a lack of obvious plan.
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Emery reportedly held discussions with the Villarreal board after Tuesday’s game. The Spanish club are briefing that he is set to reject the opportunity to move back to the Premier League.
He has been in charge at Villarreal since the beginning of last season and guided them to Europa League glory, beating Manchester United in May’s final. It was the fourth time he won the tournament.
The Spaniard confirmed that he had been approached by Newcastle but that no offer had been made.
“We play against Getafe on Sunday and this victory will help us,” he said.
“There has been an interest from Newcastle, that is all. No offer yet, which will have to be to me and to the club. There is nothing else. Before saying yes or not, I will talk to club.
“I have not said ‘no’ to Newcastle. If this gets confirmed I will talk to Villarreal directors about it. I can’t add anything else.
“I am thankful to Villarreal. I have spoken to [club president] Fernando Roig and told him that there is interest, but no offer yet.”
Villarreal president Roig seemed frustrated and surprised by media reports on Emery’s future.
“I know absolutely nothing. No one has said anything to us. No communication whatsoever,” he said on Tuesday.
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