Newcastle United were targeting Villarreal and former Arsenal manager Unai Emery as the replacement for Steve Bruce. However, they have been turned down by the manager. Emery wants to stay with the Europa League winners and not return to England right now.
Unai Emery was tempted by the money and project at St James’s Park. However, his loyalties lie with the Yellow Submarine at this point. Here is what the Villarreal boss had to say about the issue:
‘No matter how much noise there was (on Tuesday) in another country, within the club there was transparency and loyalty with the Roig family and with my squad, which 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 want to continue being part of this project because of the commitment and respect that I perceive from the club and from my players, which is mutual and reciprocal.
‘I want to thank the fans for the support they have always shown me. On Sunday we have a very important game and I hope that together we can achieve victory.’
Former Roma manager Paulo Fonseca and former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe are in the race for the job now. Newcastle had opened talks with Fonseca prior to their consideration of Unai Emery. Now, Fonseca could finalise the offer made by the Magpies and begin immediately.
