The manager of Villarreal, Unai Emery has confirmed that Newcastle United have an interest in him but nothing official between him and the club yet.
This is contrary to his initial comment that he did not have any link with Newcastle United that have been searching for a top coach to replace the sacked Steve Bruce.
Recall that Newcastle United that are currently owned by a Saudi Arabia-backed consortium worth £320 billion sacked coach Bruce over two weeks ago. Since then, they have not been able to find a suitable replacement.
The club is currently under the watch of a caretaker coach, Graeme Jones who has recorded a draw and a defeat since he took charge of the team.
Reports in England claimed that Unai Emery who is currently doing great at Villarreal especially in the Champions League campaign this season is the club’s top choice.
Ahead of Villarreal’s Champions League game against Young Boys on Tuesday, November 2, Unai Emery was quoted as saying: “I don’t know anything about Newcastle.”
However, after the Champions League game which ended 2-0 in favor of Villarreal, Emery told reporters during the post-match press conference that he knows Newcastle United has an interest in him.
“There has been an interest from Newcastle, that is all”, the former Arsenal manager said.
“No offer yet, which will have to be to me and the club. There is nothing else. Before saying yes or not, I will talk to the club.”
🗣"I have received their interest but there is nothing else. I have not received an offer."
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 3, 2021
Unai Emery has confirmed he has been approached by Newcastle pic.twitter.com/RTo4EfLCK1
As for the president of Villarreal, Fernando Roig, his interest is for Emery to remain at the club until his contract with the club expires. On July 23, 2020 Emery signed a three year deal with Villarreal which will expire on June 30, 2023.
Roig believes that the coach is focused on the job he has to do at Villarreal, a club Emery helped to win the UEFA Europa League last season.
“I’m sure that his mind is not drifting elsewhere,” the club’s president said.
“I know Unai has a contract with us and contracts are there to be fulfilled. We hope that we will be able to see that contract through until the end.”
Before now, former Roma coach, Paulo Fonseca was seen as the top choice for Newcastle United’s new owners. Reports in England claimed that Newcastle United had initiated a negotiation with the coach but some top members of the club’s board don’t believe in him.
As it stands, there is no guaranteed replacement for Steve Bruce. Unai Emery and Paulo Fonseca are just on the wishlist of the club’s new owners alongside Lucien Favre, Eddie Howe, and Roberto Martinez.
Newcastle United are currently sitting on the 19th spot on the league table with 4 points in 10 games. They are yet to win any Premier League game so far this season.
