NEWCASTLE will turn to Eddie Howe after Unai Emery confirmed he is staying at Villarreal.
The Saudi-owned Magpies were convinced they had landed the ex-Arsenal boss following positive talks on Sunday.
But Emery held concerns over the lack of a long-term vision and structure without a director of football.
After Villarreal’s 2-0 win against Young Boys on Tuesday night the Spaniard, 50, said he was yet to make a decision.
But this afternoon he released a statement saying: “Villarreal is my home and I am 100% 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.”
Howe was Newcastle’s second choice after Emery to replace Steve Bruce having also had talks over the weekend.
Whereas Emery was universally backed by the consortium – Amanda Staveley, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and the Reuben brothers – there were reservations about the former Bournemouth boss.
Despite keeping the Cherries afloat in the Prem for four years, Bournemouth’s relegation in 2020 concerned some, as did that he’s never managed a ‘big’ club.
But they are now ready to make a move for him with the winless Magpies in desperate need of an immediate upturn.
Howe has been out of work ever since leaving Bournemouth following the drop and is keen on a return to the dug-out.
What the reaction to his appointment would have been if he was named immediately after Bruce’s dismissal 15 days ago, we’ll never know.
Instead, if Howe arrives in Tyneside, it looks set to be to a lukewarm reception.
One fan tweeted: “Gone from Emery to Howe…I’m not angry, just disappointed.”
Another posted: “Everything about this is awful. The richest club in the world and we’re appointing managers Ashley would go for.”
And one angry supporter said: “We are obviously clueless off the pitch right now. Top managers don’t see us as stable. We need a top DOF in and let him do the building. Many and Co stick to business.”
